Valencia Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Agirrezabela · Mosquera · Inacio · Boey · Gutierrez · Nico Gonzalez (c) · Guerra · Echeverri · Nico Williams · Pino · Gabriel Jesus

Valencia plays with a high press and a vertical style using a 4-3-3. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and move forward with pace. They aim to use the width of the field to stretch the defence and create gaps for the attackers to exploit through quick passing.

Agirrezabela operates as the goalkeeper to command the area and distribute the ball. The defense sits in a flat back four with Boey playing as an attacking wing back on the right to overlap the winger. Gutierrez acts as the left back to provide width and cover the flank. Mosquera and Inacio form the central pairing. Inacio is a ball playing defender who helps to play out from the back, while Mosquera focuses on holding the line and covering his partner to prevent runs in behind.

The midfield acts as a three-man midfield with a carrier to bridge the gap between the defense and the attack. Nico Gonzalez, the captain, plays in the right central midfield role where he can drive forward with the ball and win the second ball. Guerra operates on the left of the midfield three to help recycle possession and press in a mid-block. Echeverri plays as an attacking ten in the hole, looking to play through the lines and find pockets of space between the opposition lines.

In the attacking third, Valencia uses three forwards to press the opposition back line. Gabriel Jesus acts as the lone striker and a pressing centre-forward who is known for his ability to hold up the ball and link play. On the left, Nico Williams plays as an inverted winger who uses his dribbling style to cut inside and attack the far post. Pino stays wide on the right to spread the width and get to the byline. The movement is meant to create runs in behind and allow for quick combinations in transition.

A major advantage for Valencia is the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The team can also use the pace of the wide players to isolate wide players in one on one situations. This creates constant pressure on the opposition and forces them to play long balls.

This 4-3-3 is a high intensity system. It is most effective against teams that struggle to play out from the back under heavy pressure.