Bologna Football Formation

Starting Lineup

DISSABO · ANUT · DIANA · BALLERINO · GIOVANINNI · DE NOVELLIS · IVAN · MARCHIOLI · THOMAS · GREGORI · BRESSAN

A high pressing and direct style of football defines Bologna as they operate within a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup seeks to win the ball back quickly in the opposition half to create immediate scoring chances. The intention is to use width and verticality to stretch the opposing defense and exploit spaces behind their lines.

Between the posts, Dissabo acts as the final line of defense. The back three consists of Ballerino, Thomas, and Giovannini, who sit in a compact line to block central passing lanes. Ballerino and Thomas act as the wide center backs to cover the spaces left when the midfield pushes up, while Giovannini stays central to dominate in the air and sweep up long balls. This defensive unit works to stay tight, ensuring they can shift quickly to cover any side of the pitch.

The midfield operates with a wide central pairing and two wing backs to control the flanks. Ivan and Marchioli occupy the central spaces to shield the defense and break the lines with vertical passes. Bressan and Gregori provide the necessary width, acting as wing backs who push high to overlap the attackers. This midfield group connects the defensive trio to the front line, ensuring the team can transition from a low block to a high press with speed.

Leading the attack, Anut operates as a lone striker to hold up the ball and link play. De Novellis and Diana provide width and goal threats from the flanks as inverted wingers, frequently cutting inside to shoot or create space for the overlapping runners. These three attackers are tasked with pressing high, forcing defenders into mistakes and preventing the opposition from building play from the back.

Bologna gains a major advantage through the ability to create wide overloads when Bressan and Gregori push forward to join the wingers. The formation also allows for a coordinated high press, as the three forwards and four midfielders can trap opponents in their own half. This setup creates significant pressure in the final third, making it difficult for opponents to find room to breathe.

This 3-4-3 formation provides a heavy presence in both the wide areas and the central zones. It is ideally suited for games where the team needs to dominate possession or hunt for goals through intense pressing.