Italy National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Donnarumma · Bastoni · Calafiori · Barella · Dimarco · Palestra · Tonali · Esposito · Scalvini · Pisilli · Kean

Italy focuses on a high press and quick transitions using a 3-5-2. This formation aims to squeeze the space in the middle while using wide players to stretch the defence. The lineup is built to win it back high up the pitch and use the energy of the midfield to drive forward.

Donnarumma acts as the foundation in goal, ready to sweep behind the line if the team plays out from the back. The back three consists of Bastoni, Calafiori, and Scalvini. Bastoni works as a ball playing defender to start attacks, while Calafiori and Scalvini provide cover and aerial strength to defend zonally. This unit holds a high line to keep the team compact and ensure the distance between the defence and the midfield stays small.

A three-man midfield with a single pivot controls the center of the pitch. Tonali sits in front of the defence to shield the back three and intercept passes. Barella and Pisilli operate as inverted eights, with Barella driving forward with the ball and making late runs into the box. They link the defence and attack by recycling possession or playing through the lines. Dimarco and Palestra provide the width, acting as attacking wing backs who push high to overlap the midfield and cross the ball into the area.

The attack utilizes two forwards in a partnership to pull the opposition defenders out of position. Kean and Esposito work together to press the opposition back line from the front. Kean often looks to hold up the ball and find the feet of the striker, while Esposito makes runs in behind to exploit gaps. They combine in tight spaces to create chances, often looking for cutbacks from the byline when the wing backs get deep into the final third.

Italy offers several tactical advantages with this 3-5-2 formation. The team creates wide overloads from Dimarco and Palestra, which forces the opposition to defend deep. The central trio of Tonali, Barella, and Pisilli allows for numerical superiority in midfield, making it difficult for opponents to progress through the thirds. Additionally, the high press from Kean and Esposito can trigger a press in the attacking third to win the ball back quickly.

This formation relies on intense running and coordination to dominate the middle of the pitch. It is best suited for games against teams that play a wide formation where the wing backs can exploit the flanks.