AZ Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Owusu-Oduro · Maikuma · Goes (Penetra) · Penetra (Indi / Dekker) · M. de Wit (Wolfe) · Clasie (Koopmeiners) · Koopmeiners (Belic) · Mijnans · Van Bommel (Lahdo / Sadiq) · Parrott (Zeefuik) · Sadiq (Lahdo)

AZ focuses on a high press and vertical play in this 4-3-3 formation. Players at Alkmaar look to win the ball high up the pitch to catch opponents out of position immediately. This lineup is built to play a fast game that uses the width of the pitch to stretch the defence and create gaps.

Owusu-Oduro guards the goal as the goalkeeper. A flat back four plays a high line to squeeze the space in the middle and keep the team compact. Maikuma works as an attacking full back on the right to provide width and overlap the winger. M. de Wit plays on the left to cover the flank and support the attack. Goes and Penetra act as the central defenders, with Goes looking to win the header and Penetra acting as the covering defender to sweep behind the line.

A three-man midfield is used to control the tempo. Clasie sits deep to shield the defence and recycle possession. Koopmeiners plays in the left half-space, using his passing range to break the line and arriving late into the box to score. Mijnans operates as an attacking ten, pushing up to find the feet of the striker and link the play. This unit works to press in a mid-block to win the ball back quickly and move the team forward.

The attacking front three use wide players to stretch the opponent. Van Bommel and Sadiq act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create chaos in the box. Parrott works as the lone striker to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. The wingers look to get to the byline and cut it back for the runners coming from deep. Combinations in the final third help the team find pockets of space between the lines.

One major advantage for AZ is the ability to press high in coordinated waves. Numerical superiority in the middle is created when Mijnans and Koopmeiners push forward into the half-spaces. Rapid speed of transition allows them to hit in behind on the transition before the opposition can reset their defensive line.

This 4-3-3 formation is a high intensity lineup. It is best suited for facing teams that try to play short from the back or struggle to defend wide areas.