PAOK Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Kotarski (Tsiftsis) · Sastre (Otto / Vieirinha) · Kedziora (Lovren / Thymianis) · Colei (Michailidis) · Baba Rahman (Silva) · Schwab (Camara) · Bakayoko (Ozdoev) · Konstantelias (Murg) · Zivkovic (Despodov / Tissudali) · Taison (Shoretire) · Brandon (Chalov / Samata)

PAOK focuses on a high press and verticality through a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup aims to pin the opposition back and win the ball high up the pitch to catch them in transition. The team looks to play with extreme aggression to overwhelm the opponent in the final third.

Kotarski sits between the posts to manage the defensive line. The back four consists of Sastre at right back and Baba Rahman at left back, while Colei and Kedziora form the central pairing. Baba Rahman acts as an attacking wing back to provide width, while Sastre can overlap to support the wingers. Colei and Kedziora defend zonally, with Kedziora using his aerial strength to win the header in defensive duels and Colei acting as a covering defender when the line steps up. The unit aims to stay compact and squeeze the space when the team loses possession.

A double pivot governs the midfield area to connect the defense and attack. Schwab and Bakayoko work in the center to control the tempo and shield the back four. Schwab is tasked to press aggressively to win the ball high, while Bakayoko operates to recycle possession and move the ball to the wide areas. This midfield pairing must be disciplined to cover the gaps left when the full backs push forward. They act as the engine room to ensure the team can transition from a defensive block back into an attacking state.

The attacking line uses four players to stretch the defense. Taison and Zivkovic occupy the wide areas as wingers, with Taison looking to cut inside to create goalscoring chances. Brandon and Konstantelias operate as a central partnership. Brandon acts as a pressing centre-forward to bother the opposition centre-backs, while Konstantelias plays as a second striker in the hole to find the feet of the strikers or drive at the defense. This front line is designed to create runs in behind and use the width provided by the wingers to isolate defenders one on one.

PAOK gains tactical advantages through the ability to press high in coordinated waves. Having four attackers allows them to pin the last defender and force a long ball from the opposition. The formation also creates wide overloads when Sastre and Baba Rahman push up to support the wingers. This allows the team to win the second ball quickly in the attacking half.

This 4-2-4 formation provides a heavy offensive presence designed to overwhelm opponents. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to break down a low block through constant pressure.