Fiorentina Football Formation

Starting Lineup

37 Andres (1 Neto)
6 Smalling (19 Milosevic)
27 Alaba (22 Bellerin)
15 Savic (vc) (2 Sama)
16 Insua (3 Biraghi (vc))
23 Guarrotxena (25 F. Rossi)
18 Mendy (21 Cataldi)
11 Depay (9 Remy)
5 Bonaventura (C) (20 Potuk)
7 Donnarumma (59 Valentic)
29 Benteke (10 Gomis)

Fiorentina focuses on a heavy verticality to catch teams out of position, utilizing a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup is built to attack with numbers and press the opposition high up the pitch. The intention is to score quickly and use a direct style of play to bypass the middle of the park.

Andres starts in goal to command his area. The defensive unit operates as a flat back four with Alaba acting as a right back who can push up the flank. Insua plays as the left back to provide width on that side. Savic and Smalling occupy the two central defender roles, where they focus on winning the header and protecting the box. The back line works to maintain a high line to squeeze the space between the units.

The midfield consists of a double pivot with Mendy and Guarrotxena. Mendy works to shield the defence and recover the ball in the middle third. Guarrotxena acts as the carrier to drive the ball forward. Together, they connect the defensive unit to the front four, though they must work hard to cover the ground when the team loses possession. They are responsible for recycling possession and finding the wide players.

In the attacking phase, Fiorentina employs four players across the front. Benteke acts as the target man to hold up the ball and win physical battles against defenders. Bonaventura (C) plays as a pressing centre-forward, using his work rate to hunt the ball. On the wings, Donnarumma and Depay act as wide wingers to stretch the defence. Depay looks to cut inside to create goalscoring chances, while Donnarumma provides a threat from the left. This front line is designed to hit in behind on the transition.

One major advantage for Fiorentina is the ability to create wide overloads when the full backs push up. The formation also provides a high level of pressure from the front, as the four attackers can press in pairs to force a long ball. This creates a lot of pressure on the opposition goalkeeper and back line.

The 4-2-4 formation is a high risk, high reward system centered on aggressive attacking movements. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to chase a result against a side that sits deep.