Stuttgart Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Ermedin Demirovic · Tiago Tomas · Bilal El Khannouss · Atakan Karazor · Angelo Stiller · Josha Vagnoman · Luca Jaquez · Jeff Chabot · Alexander Nübel · Ramon Hendriks · Chris Führich

Stuttgart focuses on a high press and quick verticality using a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately look to break the lines to catch the opposition out of position. The goal is to use intense pressure to disrupt the build up of the other team and create chances through rapid transitions.

Alexander Nübel starts in goal to oversee the defensive line. Stuttgart employs a flat back four that looks to step up and squeeze the space between the lines. Jeff Chabot and Luca Jaquez act as the central defenders, with Chabot looking to cover the space behind while Jaquez stays firm to win the second ball. Ramon Hendriks and Josha Vagnoman operate as full backs, providing width and tracking back to defend the flanks. This unit works to hold a high line to keep the team compact.

The midfield operates with a three man midfield with a carrier to control the center of the pitch. Atakan Karazor sits in the middle to shield the defence and break up play. Beside him, Angelo Stiller acts as a deep lying playmaker, looking to find the feet of the striker or switch play to the wings. Bilal El Khannouss plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, pressing aggressively to win the ball high and looking to play through the lines with clever passing. This trio connects the back four to the forward line.

In the attacking third, the team uses three attackers across the front. Ermedin Demirovic acts as the pressing centre forward, working to pin the last defender and hold up the ball for others. Chris Führich plays as an inverted winger on the left, looking to cut inside and create goal scoring chances, while Tiago Tomas occupies the right wing to stretch the defence. The forwards work in combinations to create runs in behind or isolate a one on one wide.

One major advantage for Stuttgart is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, forcing the opposition into mistakes. The formation also creates wide overloads when the full backs join the attack, which helps to stretch the defence. By having Bilal El Khannouss operate in the half spaces, the team can also find numerical superiority in the final third to bypass the midfield.

This 4-3-3 formation relies on high intensity and quick ball movement to dominate games. It is best suited for matches against teams that try to play out from the back with a slow build up.