Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Dimarco · Di Lorenzo · Bastoni · Mancini · Retegui · Tonali · Locatelli · Barella · Raspadori · Orsolini · Donnarumma

Italy focuses on a resolute defensive block and rapid transitions, utilizing a 5-2-3 formation to maintain stability. This lineup is built to deny space in the central areas while looking to hit the opposition on the break. The goal is to stay compact and then break quickly once possession is regained in the middle third.

Donnarumma operates as the goalkeeper to command his area and organize the back line. The defensive unit sits in a back five with Mancini, Locatelli, and Bastoni at the heart of the line. Bastoni acts as a ball playing defender to progress the ball from the back, while Mancini and Locatelli focus on winning the header and clearing the lines. Di Lorenzo and Dimarco function as attacking wing backs who push high to provide width. They are required to track back quickly to ensure the team maintains a narrow defensive block when the opposition has the ball.

The midfield consists of a double pivot that connects the defense to the attack. Barella and Tonali work to shield the defense and control the tempo. Barella brings high pressing intensity to win the ball back high up the pitch, while Tonali works to recycle possession and move the ball forward. This pair must work to compress the midfield and prevent opponents from playing through the lines.

The attacking front line uses three players to stretch the defense. Retegui acts as a pressing centre forward to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. Raspadori and Orsolini play as wide wingers to provide width and attacking threat. Raspadori likes to cut inside into the half spaces, while Orsolini looks to get to the byline and whip it in. This formation is designed to create runs in behind and allow for quick combinations in transition.

Italy gains a major advantage from the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of Di Lorenzo and Dimarco. This stretches the opposition defense and creates gaps in the middle. The team also benefits from a high degree of compactness when defending in a low block. This makes it very difficult for the opposition to find space between the lines.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for a team that wants to be defensively solid and lethal on the break. It is best suited for matches against high possession teams that can be punished in transition.