Stuttgart Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Ermedin Demirovic · Tiago Tomas · Bilal El Khannouss · Chema Andres · Angelo Stiller · Lorenz Assignon · Finn Jeltsch · Jeff Chabot · Alexander Nübel · Maxi Mittelstädt · Jamie Leweling

Stuttgart look to dominate the ball and control the tempo through a high press using a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to play a possession based game where the team seeks to control the middle of the park and squeeze the space in the opponent half. By keeping the ball and moving it quickly, Stuttgart aim to pull the opposition out of position and create gaps in the defensive lines.

Alexander Nübel acts as the foundation in goal, playing out from the back to start the build up. The back four operates with a high line to keep the team compact. Jeff Chabot and Finn Jeltsch form the central pairing, where Chabot acts as a ball playing defender while Jeltsch provides aerial strength. Maxi Mittelstädt plays as an attacking left back to provide width, whereas Lorenz Assignon acts as a right back who can overlap to support the attack. The defensive unit works together to maintain a high line and press the opponent early.

In the middle of the pitch, the team uses a three man midfield with a carrier and a deep lying playmaker. Angelo Stiller operates to control the tempo and recycle possession with his passing range. Chema Andres works to drive forward with the ball and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Bilal El Khannouss plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, looking to find pockets of space and play through the lines. This midfield group works to win the ball high up the pitch and move the ball from the back to the front.

The attacking structure features three players across the front to stretch the defence. Ermedin Demirovic acts as the central striker, tasked to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Jamie Leweling and Tiago Tomas play as wide wingers who look to cut inside to create goal scoring chances. The wingers press the opposition back line to force a long ball and win the second ball. This creates constant movement with runs in behind and players arriving late into the box to exploit the central area.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, particularly the ability to press high in coordinated waves to win the ball back quickly. Stuttgart can also create wide overloads when the full backs push up to join the wingers. The presence of Bilal El Khannouss in the half spaces provides numerical superiority in the final third, making it difficult for opponents to mark everyone.

The 4-3-3 lineup is designed to overwhelm teams that try to play out from the back. It is best suited for games where Stuttgart can control the ball and dictate the rhythm of the match.