Atlético Football Formation

Starting Lineup

JAN (OBLAK) · MARC (PUBILL) · CRISTIAN (ROMERO) · DÁVID (HANCKO) · ALEJANDRO (GRIMALDO) · MORTEN (HJULMAND) · PABLO (BARRIOS) · KOKE · ADEMOLA (LOOKMAN) · ÁLEX (BAENA) · JULIÁN (ÁLVAREZ)

Atlético focuses on a high press and verticality through a 4-3-3. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly through the lines. The team looks to compress the space in the middle and use the width of the pitch to stretch the defence during attacks.

JAN stays between the posts to command the area. The back line operates as a flat back four where MARC acts as a defensive full back to maintain stability on the right. ALEJANDRO pushes up to provide width on the left. In the center, CRISTIAN and DÁVID work as a unit, with CRISTIAN often stepping into midfield to disrupt play while DÁVID provides cover to sweep behind the high line. The defensive unit works to keep a compact shape and trigger a press when the ball enters certain zones.

The midfield uses a three-man midfield with a carrier to link the play. KOKE (C), the captain, plays as an attacking ten behind the striker to connect the defensive and attacking lines and create chances in the half-spaces. PABLO and MORTEN operate in the central zones to shield the defence and win the second ball. PABLO drives forward with the ball to progress through the thirds, while MORTEN works to recycle possession and drop between the centre-backs to help play out from the back.

Atlético utilizes three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. ÁLEX and ADEMOLA act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create overloads in the middle. ÁLEX looks to get to the byline to whip it in, while ADEMOLA searches for space to run in behind. JULIÁN acts as a pressing centre-forward, constantly working to force a long ball from the opposition. The forwards work in combinations to find the feet of the striker or deliver early crosses into the box.

This formation offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves. By using KOKE (C) to press from the front, the team can win it back high up the pitch. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the inverted wingers and overlapping full backs like ALEJANDRO allow the team to switch play and attack the far post quickly once the ball is won.

Atlético relies on a high pressing identity to dominate games. This lineup is best suited for facing teams that try to build play short from the back.