Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

1- G. Donnarumma
2- G. Di Lorenzo
23- G. Mancini
21- A. Bastoni
7- M. Politano
8- S. Tonali
3- F. Dimarco
5- M. Locatelli
18- N. Barella
9- M. Retegui
10- G. Raspadori

Italy utilizes a 3-5-2 formation designed to control the center of the pitch. This lineup focuses on a high press and quick transitions to catch opponents out of position. By using a compact midfield block, Italy aims to win the ball back quickly and launch direct attacks toward the forwards.

G. Donnarumma acts as the last line of defense, using his massive frame and shot stopping to secure the goal. In front of him, a back three consisting of G. Di Lorenzo, G. Mancini, and A. Bastoni provides a solid foundation. G. Mancini stays central to mark the striker and win aerial duels, while A. Bastoni acts as a ball playing defender to start attacks from deep. G. Di Lorenzo operates as a wide defender in this formation, providing cover and shifting across the back line to block crosses.

The midfield relies on a central trio to dictate the tempo of the game. M. Locatelli and S. Tonali sit deeper to shield the defense and intercept passes, acting as the pivot to connect the lines. N. Barella plays further up as an attacking midfielder, using his pressing intensity and ability to break the line with vertical passes to drive the team forward. This midfield unit must work hard to track back and maintain compactness when the team loses possession.

In the attacking third, the team employs two forwards to stretch the opposition. G. Raspadori and M. Retegui operate as a pair, with G. Raspadori often dropping into pockets of space to link play. M. Retegui focuses on holding up the ball and making runs behind the defense. Width is provided by the wide midfielders, F. Dimarco and M. Politano, who push high up the pitch to overlap and deliver crosses into the box.

This formation offers a massive numerical advantage in the center of the pitch, making it difficult for opponents to pass through the middle. The presence of F. Dimarco and M. Politano allows the team to create wide overloads, pulling defenders out of position. When defending, the team can quickly drop into a low block, making them very hard to break down through the center.

This 3-5-2 formation is built for a high intensity game that demands heavy running from the midfield. It is best suited for matches against teams that play with a single pivot, as it allows the attackers to dominate the central area.