Atalanta Football Formation
Starting Lineup
CARNESECCHI · AHANOR · SCALVINI · KOUSSONOU · PALESTRA · EDERSON · FRENDRUP · BELLANOVA · RASPADORI · DE KETELEARE · SCAMACCAAtalanta focuses on aggressive high pressing and rapid verticality through a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to hunt the ball high up the pitch and force turnovers in the opponent half. By utilizing a heavy press, the team looks to catch teams out of position through quick transitions.
Carnesecchi guards the goal while the back three stays compact to defend against central breakthroughs. Scalvini acts as the central defender, often stepping up to intercept passes and organize the line. To his right, Koussonou provides physical presence and aerial strength, while Ahanor covers the left side of the back three. The wing backs, Bellanova on the right and Palestra on the left, provide the width needed to stretch the opposition. They must track back quickly to help the defenders when the team loses possession.
The midfield functions as a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. Ederson plays as a high intensity ball winner, using his engine to press opponents and break lines with his forward runs. Frendrup works alongside him to shield the defense and connect the play from deep areas. This central duo ensures that the transition from defense to attack happens with speed. They must stay close to each other to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.
Attacking the final third involves three direct players. Scamacca operates as the lone striker, using his strength to hold up the ball and link play. On the flanks, Raspadori cuts inside from the left to create central threats, while De Ketelaere operates on the right to find space between the lines. This front three presses the opposing defenders constantly to prevent them from building play from the back. Their movements create gaps for the wing backs to overlap and provide crosses.
Atalanta creates tactical advantages through intense pressing in coordinated waves. The presence of Ederson in the middle provides a way to win the ball back immediately after a loss. Furthermore, the wide positioning of Bellanova and Palestra allows for wide overloads, forcing the opposing defense to shift and leave spaces in the middle. The combination of physical strength in the center and pace on the wings makes them very difficult to contain during transitions.
This formation is designed for a high tempo game that seeks to dominate through physical pressure and vertical passing. It is best suited for facing teams that attempt to build play slowly from the back.