Atlético Mineiro Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Everson (22) · R. Saravia (26) · Lyanco (2) · J. Alonso (8) · G. Arana (13) · F. Vera (18) · Alisson (45) · Gustavo Scarpa (6) · M. Zaracho (15) · Paulinho (10) · E. Vargas (11)

Atlético Mineiro plays a game built on being defensively solid. This team relies on a 5-4-1 formation to keep things tight. The primary goal is to sit deep and then hit in behind on the transition when the opposition makes a mistake.

Everson stays between the posts to protect the goal. The back five forms a narrow defensive block to deny the turn to attackers. Lyanco and J. Alonso act as the wide centre-backs to mark the opposition strikers and cover for one another. F. Vera sits in the middle to win the header and clear the lines. G. Arana and R. Saravia play as attacking wing backs to provide width. They push up to overlap the winger and deliver early crosses when the team wins the ball.

A four-man midfield works to squeeze the space and compress the midfield. Gustavo Scarpa and M. Zaracho occupy the central roles to win the second ball and recycle possession. Scarpa uses his passing range to carry the ball forward and play through the lines to find the attackers. Paulinho and Alisson play on the flanks to track back and help the defense. They work to pick up runners and prevent the opposition from finding gaps.

Leading the attack is E. Vargas who acts as a lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of teammates. Paulinho and Alisson pull wide to stretch the defence and create room in the middle. When the team wins the ball, they look to break quickly. The intention is to use the wingers to get to the byline and cut it back for the midfielders. E. Vargas tries to pin the last defender so others can arrive late into the box.

One advantage of this formation is being able to stay compact while sitting in a low block. This makes it very difficult for teams to play through the lines. Another strength is the wide overloads from the overlapping wing backs during attacks. The team can also switch play rapidly to exploit the wings when they win it back high up the pitch.

Atlético Mineiro uses this 5-4-1 to remain defensively solid and strike on the break. This formation is best suited for games against teams that dominate possession and leave space in behind.