Bologna Football Formation

Starting Lineup

LUKASZ (SKORUPSKI) · JOÃO (MÁRIO) · TORBJORN (HEGGEM) · JHON (LUCUMÍ) · JUAN (MIRANDA) · REMO (FREULER) · SIMON (SOHM) · LEWIS (FERGUSON) · JONATHAN (ROWE) · RICCARDO (ORSOLINI) · SANTIAGO (CASTRO)

Bologna plays with a 3-4-3 formation that focuses on a high press and quick verticality. This lineup is built to control large areas of the pitch by using intense pressing to win the ball back high up the field. The team looks to transition rapidly from a defensive block into a direct attacking phase, using wide players to stretch the opposition.

SANTIAGO acts as the last line of defense in goal. The defensive unit consists of a back three with LEWIS acting as the central anchor to hold the line and cover the space behind. RICCARDO plays as the right center back to provide cover, while JONATHAN operates as the left center back. These three defenders must step up together to squeeze the space between the defense and the midfield, ensuring the team maintains a high line to compress the playing area.

The midfield works as a box, utilizing two central players to manage the heart of the pitch. REMO and SIMON occupy the central roles to shield the defense and intercept passes. They work to break the line with vertical passes to the creative players. JOÃO and JUAN operate in the wider central areas to connect the midfield to the attack. These four players must shift as a unit to cover wide areas and prevent opponents from playing through the middle.

Bologna utilizes three attackers to pin the opposition back. LUKASZ leads the line as the lone striker to hold up the ball and fight for aerial duels. On the wings, JHON and TORBJORN provide width and look to cut inside to create goal scoring chances. The attackers press in coordinated waves, forcing defenders into mistakes. This front line is designed to create space in the channels for the midfielders to run into during transitions.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves to force turnovers near the opponent goal. The presence of JOÃO and JUAN allows the team to create numerical superiority in the wide central areas. Another strength is the ability to isolate wide players in one on one situations when the wingers receive the ball in space. The compactness of the three center backs and the two central midfielders makes it difficult for teams to pass through the middle.

This 3-4-3 formation provides a platform for aggressive pressing and rapid counter attacks. It is a setup best suited for games against teams that try to build play slowly from the back.