Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Italy relies on a defensive identity to nullify opponents. The team utilizes a 5-2-3 formation to maintain a solid defensive line when out of possession. This lineup is built to play a counter attacking style of football. The main idea is to sit deep, absorb pressure, and then use the pace of the forward line to exploit high lines.

Donnarumma plays in goal to organize the defensive line. The back five consists of a central trio and two wide defenders. Locatelli sits in the center to act as a covering defender. Mancini and Bastoni play as the other central defenders to protect the box. Mancini provides aerial strength to win headers, while Bastoni uses his passing range to play out from the back. Di Lorenzo and Dimarco act as attacking wing backs. They push high to provide width and support the attack, often being the ones to whip it in from the flanks.

The midfield is a double pivot consisting of Barella and Tonali. These two players must work hard to cover the ground between the defense and the attack. Barella is a carrier who drives forward with the ball to press the opposition. Tonali works to shield the defense and win the second ball in the middle. They connect the defensive unit to the front three, often looking to find the forwards quickly after a turnover.

In the attacking phase, the team uses three forwards. Retegui operates as a central striker to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. Orsolini and Raspadori play on the wings to stretch the defense. Orsolini likes to cut inside from the right, while Raspadori works to find space between the lines. The attack is built through quick transitions and wide overloads when the wing backs overlap the winger. This creates many chances to hit in behind on the transition.

The Azzurri possess several tactical advantages with this lineup. They offer great compactness when defending in a mid-block, making it very difficult for opponents to find gaps. Another strength is the ability to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately launch a vertical attack. The speed of transition allows them to catch teams out when they are too far forward.

This 5-2-3 formation is designed to be defensively solid and lethal on the break. It works best against teams that play with a high line and heavy possession.