Atalanta Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Carnesecchi · Hien · Kolasinac · Scalvini · de Roon · Ederson · Zappacosta · Krstovic · Bernasconi · Zalewski · De Ketelaere

Atalanta operates with a 3-4-3 formation that prioritizes a high press and verticality. This lineup is built to play aggressive football, looking to win the ball high up the pitch and transition quickly toward the goal. The intent is to force turnovers in the opponent half and use rapid forward movements to catch the defense out of position.

Carnesecchi stays between the posts to organize the defense from the back. The defensive unit utilizes a back three consisting of Hien, Kolasinac, and Scalvini. Kolasinac and Scalvini provide physicality and aerial strength, while Hien focuses on covering space and intercepting passes. This back three allows the team to maintain a high line, pushing up to squeeze the space available to the opposition.

The midfield works through a central block to control the center of the pitch. Ederson acts as a single pivot to shield the defense and break the lines with his driving runs. Beside him, de Roon provides stability and helps to press opponents in the middle third. Bernasconi and Zappacosta occupy the central midfield roles, acting as the link between the defensive line and the front three to ensure ball progression.

Up front, Atalanta employs three attackers to stretch the opposition. Krstovic acts as the lone striker to hold up the ball and occupy the center backs. Zalewski and De Ketelaere play as wide attackers, often cutting inside to create central overloads. These attackers are tasked with pressing the opposition backline constantly, forcing defenders to make rushed decisions while creating space for late runs from midfield.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for opponents to build play from the back. The presence of Ederson and de Roon allows the team to maintain compactness when defending in the middle third. Furthermore, the width provided by the front three and the midfield runners creates frequent opportunities to isolate wide players in one on one situations.

This 3-4-3 formation defines the aggressive and high intensity identity of Atalanta. It is a formation best suited for games where the team seeks to dominate through pressure and rapid transitions against teams that struggle to play out from the back.