Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Donnarumma · Bastoni · Buongiorno · Calafiori · Dimarco · Barella · Tonali · Cambiaso · Frattesi · Chiesa · Retegui

Italy focuses on a high press to win the ball back high up the pitch. The team uses a 4-5-1 formation to control the middle of the park. This lineup is built to play a vertical game that uses quick transitions to catch the opposition out of position.

Donnarumma stays in goal to command the area and stop shots with his presence. The defense operates as a flat back four. Bastoni acts as a ball playing defender to play short from the back and find teammates using his passing range. Buongiorno is dominant in the air and provides cover for his partners. Cambiaso plays as an attacking full back to provide width on the right, while Calafiori can step up into the midfield or cover the wide spaces on the left. The unit works to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield is a five man block that includes a double pivot. Barella and Tonali sit in front of the defense to shield the back four. Barella uses his high pressing intensity to trigger a press, while Tonali helps to recycle possession and find the feet of the striker. Dimarco and Chiesa play in the half spaces to link the lines. Dimarco pushes forward to overlap, while Chiesa looks to cut inside and drive at the defense. Frattesi acts as a carrier who makes late runs into the box to arrive in scoring positions.

Retegui leads the attack as a lone striker. He works as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender and disrupt the build up. The team builds play by using the width of the pitch through Cambiaso and Dimarco. These wide players look to get to the byline and cut it back to the runners. Retegui will hold up the ball to allow the midfielders to join the attack. When the team wins the ball, they look to hit in behind on the transition.

Italy gains an advantage through numerical superiority in the midfield. The ability to press high in coordinated waves forces the opposition into mistakes. Another strength is the speed of transition when moving from a mid block to an attacking stance. This allows the team to strike quickly before the opponent can settle.

This formation is ideal for a team that wants to dominate the center and play with high intensity. It is best suited for games against opponents who try to play out from the back with slow tempo.