Argentina National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Di Stefano · Messi · Maradona · Di María · Marzolini · Redondo · Mascherano · Zanetti · Passarella · E. Martínez · Samuel

Argentina plays a defensive and counter attacking style using a 5-4-1. This lineup is built to sit deep and wait for the opposition to leave gaps. The team aims to keep a compact block to deny space and then strike quickly when they win the ball.

Di Stefano plays in goal to protect the back five. Mascherano and Redondo form the central part of the line to defend the middle. Mascherano uses his tackling to break up play while Messi plays in the center of the defense to sweep behind a high line and use his passing range to start moves. Maradona and Di María act as attacking wing backs to provide width. Maradona uses his dribbling style to carry the ball forward while Di María pushes up to support the attack.

The midfield works with a double pivot consisting of Marzolini and Zanetti. Zanetti uses his work rate to cover large areas and shield the defense. Marzolini helps to win the second ball and recycle possession. In front of them, Samuel and Passarella operate as two tens in the half-spaces. They press aggressively to win the ball high and connect the defensive unit to the lone striker.

In the attacking phase, E. Martínez acts as a lone striker and a pressing centre-forward. He works to pin the last defender and hold up the ball for others. When Argentina transitions, Maradona and Di María spread wide to stretch the defence. Samuel and Passarella look to play through the lines to find E. Martínez or arrive late into the box. The goal is to create runs in behind or use cutbacks from the byline.

A major advantage for Argentina is the ability to maintain compactness when defending in a low block. The team also creates wide overloads when Maradona and Di María push high. This allows the side to shift between a defensive five and a more attacking formation during transitions.

The 5-4-1 formation provides a very solid base for teams that want to frustrate big opponents. It is best suited for matches against sides that control possession and require a team to defend deep.