Atalanta Football Formation

Starting Lineup

SPORTIELLO · DJIMSITI · HIEN · KOLASINAC · BELLANOVA · DE ROON · PASALIC · ZALEWSKI · DE KETELAERE · SCAMACCA · SULEMANA

Atalanta plays a high press game built on intensity and verticality, using a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and force quick transitions to catch the opposition out of position. The team looks to dominate the middle areas and use wide runners to stretch the defense.

Sportiello acts as the last line of defense, playing behind a back three. Hien sits in the center to provide aerial strength and cover the space behind his teammates. To his left, Kolasinac acts as a ball playing defender to start attacks, while Djimsiti sits on the right to intercept passes and mark runners. The defensive unit stays compact and steps up together to compress the space between the lines.

A central midfield trio provides the engine for the team. De Roon operates as a single pivot to shield the defense and break the line with his passing. Beside him, Pasalic works to drive forward and press opponents, while De Ketelaere plays as an attacking ten to connect the midfield to the strikers. This midfield group shifts constantly to cover wide areas and maintain control of the central zone.

The attack relies on two forwards to lead the press and create chaos. Scamacca plays as a lone striker to hold up the ball and use his physical presence, while Sulemana plays as a second striker to run into the channels. The width comes from wing backs Zalewski and Bellanova, who push high to overlap the midfielders and provide crosses into the box.

This formation offers several tactical advantages for Atalanta. The wing backs create wide overloads by pinning the opponent wide, which opens central spaces for De Ketelaere to exploit. Another strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, using the front two and the attacking midfielder to trap the opponent in their own half. This creates a high level of pressure that forces errors in the buildup phase.

This 3-5-2 lineup is a relentless system built for aggressive pressing and rapid transitions. It is best suited for games where the team needs to overwhelm an opponent through physical intensity and numerical superiority in the wide areas.