Atalanta Football Formation

Starting Lineup

CARNESECCHI (93) · KOSSOUNOU (87) · CHOI (77) · HIEN (85) · ZALEWSKI (81) · PASALIC (79) · EDERSON (88) · BELLANOVA (82) · MALDINI (86) · DE KETELAERE (90) · VLAHOVIC (73)

Atalanta uses a 3-4-3 formation that focuses on a high press and rapid verticality. This lineup is built to play a heavy offensive game where the team tries to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly. The intent is to squeeze the opponent into their own half and use aggressive movement to break lines.

Carnesecchi acts as the last line of defense, standing behind a back three. The central defender Choi holds the middle, while Hien and Kossounou cover the left and right sides. Hien brings aerial strength and aggression to the defensive unit, while Kossounou works to intercept passes and cover the space behind the wing backs. Bellanova and Zalewski function as wing backs who push high up the pitch to provide width, which requires the central defenders to shift wide and cover the flanks when the wing backs move forward.

The midfield works as a central engine room with a two man unit. Ederson acts as the primary ball winner, using his high pressing intensity and ability to tackle to disrupt opposition play. Beside him, Pasalic connects the defense to the attack, helping to drive the ball forward and support the pressing waves. This midfield pair must work hard to track back and protect the space between the lines, ensuring the team does not get caught on the break when the wing backs are high.

In the attacking third, Atalanta utilizes three attackers to stretch the opposition. Vlahovic plays as the lone striker to hold up the ball and lead the press from the front. Maldini and De Ketelaere operate as wide attackers, with Maldini looking to cut inside and De Ketelaere using his movement to find gaps in the defense. This front line is designed to create constant pressure, using wide players to pull defenders out of position so the midfielders or wing backs can enter the box.

This formation offers significant advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it hard for opponents to build from the back. The wide overloads created by Bellanova and Zalewksi force the opposition defense to shift constantly, often leaving gaps in the middle. Atalanta also benefits from the speed of transition, moving the ball from the defensive third to the attacking third with very few passes once the ball is recovered.

This 3-4-3 formation defines a high intensity identity built on pressing and offensive pressure. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play under pressure or teams that sit in a deep block and cannot handle rapid vertical transitions.