Bologna Football Formation

Starting Lineup

30 Benaglio (1 F. Ramos)
5 De Vrij (C) (12 Moore)
3 Milosevic (2 Amadou)
4 Denswil (vc) (18 Kongolo)
8 Mahlangu (20 Bryzgalov)
17 Medel (vc) (23 Nana)
7 Templeton (10 Crofts)
16 Aranguiz (25 Bruce)
11 Jesé (19 Barkley)
29 Ben Khalifa (9 Arnautovic)
21 Gameiro (15 Rivière)

Bologna looks to control matches through a vertical style of play. This 3-5-2 formation is built to win the second ball and strike quickly when gaps appear in the opposition back line. The team focuses on being defensively solid while using a crowded midfield to dominate the center of the pitch.

Benaglio starts in goal to manage the defensive line. The back three consists of Milosevic, Denswil, and De Vrij, who acts as the captain. De Vrij provides leadership from the right side of the central trio, while Denswil covers the left. Milosevic stays central to win headers and clear the lines when the team is forced to sit deep. This unit works together to keep a compact shape and protect the space behind the midfield.

The midfield is a heavy five man block designed to squeeze the space between the lines. Medel, who serves as a vice captain, and Mahlangu form a double pivot to shield the defense. Medel is known for his defensive work rate and ability to intercept passes. Jesé, Templeton, and Aranguiz occupy the central and wider areas of the midfield. Aranguiz and Templeton act as carriers to drive the ball forward, while Jesé connects the defensive unit to the attackers. This midfield group works to recycle possession and press aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch.

Bologna uses two forwards in a partnership to pressure the opposition. Gameiro and Ben Khalifa operate as the front two, working to find space between the defenders. Gameiro often holds up the ball to allow the midfielders to join the attack. Ben Khalifa looks to make runs in behind to exploit the space left by advancing defenders. The team builds attacks by playing through the lines from the midfield or using wide players to stretch the defense.

One major strength of this Bologna lineup is the numerical superiority in midfield which makes it difficult for opponents to play through the center. The combination of a strong double pivot and three central midfielders allows the team to control the tempo. Another advantage is the ability to hit in behind on the transition once Medel or Mahlangu intercept the ball.

This 3-5-2 formation provides a balance between defensive stability and central control. It is a setup best suited for games against teams that try to dominate possession through the middle.