Salernitana Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Salernitana relies on a direct and vertical style of play through a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the second ball and using wide areas to stretch the defence. The team looks to transition quickly once they win possession in the middle of the pitch.

The goalkeeper acts as the first line of defense behind a back three. Matino holds the central spot in the defensive line, while Capuano occupies the left centre-back position. These defenders must stay compact to protect the middle. The wide defenders are tasked with tracking runners and covering the space left when the wing backs push high. They work to deny the turn to opposition attackers and ensure the back line stays connected.

A busy midfield engine room drives the play, utilizing a three man midfield with a carrier. De Boer operates in the right central midfield role, helping to control the tempo and connect the lines. Capomaggio works to shield the defence and win the ball back in the middle. In the attacking half, Villa operates as a left attacking midfielder to create chances, while Casasola plays as a right attacking midfielder to provide width and support. This group must squeeze the space between the lines to prevent the opposition from playing through the thirds.

The attacking unit uses two forwards to pressure the opposition back line. Inglese Ferrari operates as the left striker, looking to find the feet of his partner or make runs in behind. The team looks to use the attacking midfielders to feed the forwards, often looking for cutbacks from the byline or quick combinations in tight spaces. By using two strikers, Salernitana can pin the last defender and create more opportunities for late arrivals into the box from the midfield.

One major advantage of this Salernitana lineup is the ability to create wide overloads when the attacking midfielders and wing backs push forward together. The formation also offers compactness when defending in a mid-block, making it difficult for opponents to find gaps. By occupying the half spaces with Villa and Casasola, the team can also win the second ball frequently in the final third.

This 3-5-2 formation is built to dominate the central areas and strike quickly on the break. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line and leave space behind their defenders.