Atlético Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Jan Oblak (🇸🇮) · Feliciano Rivilla (🇪🇸) · Diego Godín (🇺🇾) · Luis Pereira (🇧🇷) · Isacio Calleja (🇪🇸) · Koke (🇪🇸) · Luis Aragonés (🇪🇸) · Antoine Griezmann (🇫🇷) · Abelardo Rodríguez (🇪🇸) · José Garate (🇪🇸🇦🇷) · Larbi Ben Barek (🇫🇷🇲🇦)

Atlético relies on a high press and a direct style in this 4-3-3. The team focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch to launch quick attacks. This formation is built to use the wings and create chances through central combinations and quick transitions.

Jan Oblak sits in goal to organize the back line. The defense operates as a flat back four with Diego Godín and Luis Pereira as the central defenders. Diego Godín is dominant in the air and leads the defensive line, while Luis Pereira acts as a covering defender. Isacio Calleja and Feliciano Rivilla play as full backs. Isacio Calleja pushes up to support the attack, whereas Feliciano Rivilla stays deeper to protect the space. The defensive unit works to stay compact and deny the turn of attackers.

The midfield works as a three-man midfield with a carrier and a playmaker. Koke operates as the right central midfielder, using his passing range to distribute the ball and his work rate to press in a mid-block. Abelardo Rodríguez plays as the left central midfielder to provide balance and cover ground. Luis Aragonés plays as the attacking ten behind the striker to connect the lines. Koke often drops to help the defense while Luis Aragonés looks to play through the lines to find the forwards in tight spaces.

The attack features three attackers across the front with José Garate playing as a lone striker. Larbi Ben Barek and Antoine Griezmann act as wide wingers. Antoine Griezmann tends to cut inside from the right wing to create more central threat, using his pressing intensity to win the ball back high up the pitch. Larbi Ben Barek stays wide to stretch the defence. José Garate acts as a target man to hold up the ball, allowing others to arrive late into the box or make runs in behind.

This Atlético lineup offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The team can also use wide overloads when Isacio Calleja overlaps the winger. A major advantage is the speed of transition from a mid-block into a direct attack to hit in behind on the transition.

This 4-3-3 is a heavy pressing formation designed to disrupt the rhythm of the opposition. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.