Salernitana Football Formation
November 17, 2024
Starting Lineup
1 (MARINO)2 (GRANDE)
3 (GALIANO)
5 (CARPENTIERI)
6 (DI VICO)
4 (VALENTINO)
8 (FERRARESE)
7 (DE ANGELIS)
10 (SEPE)
11 (D'ALOIA)
9 (LAURIA)
Salernitana plays a very direct and aggressive style of football using a 4-2-4 formation. The lineup focuses on heavy offensive pressure and quick transitions to catch the opposition out of position. This formation is built to stretch the defence and overwhelm them with numbers in the final third through rapid movement.
In the defensive phase, 1 starts between the posts to command the area. The back line works as a flat back four with 2 and 3 acting as the full backs. 5 and 6 operate as the central defenders, tasked to hold the line and win the second ball. When the team sits deep, the full backs must track back to prevent wide overloads, while 5 and 6 focus on being dominant in the air to clear long balls. The defensive unit must move as one to maintain a compact block when the opposition has the ball.
The midfield is composed of a double pivot consisting of 4 and 8. This pair works to shield the defence and win the ball back. 8 often drops between the centre backs to receive the ball and help play out from the back, while 4 acts as a carrier to drive forward with the ball. They must work hard to cover the ground left behind by the advanced attackers. Their main job is to connect the defensive and attacking lines and quickly find the players in the final third to start a break.
The attacking front line is very heavy with four players. 11 and 7 operate as wide wingers who hug the touchline to spread the width of the pitch. This creates space in the middle for the two centre forwards, 10 and 9. Working in a partnership, 10 and 9 link up play and run in behind the defence. Cutting inside, 11 and 7 create extra numbers in the box or deliver crosses. The team looks to attack in combinations and use the speed of the forwards to hit in behind on the transition.
A major advantage for Salernitana is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of 11, 7, and the full backs. The formation also offers a significant threat when attacking in transition because of the four players positioned high up the pitch. This allows the team to pin the last defender and force the opposition to defend deep in their own half. They can also use the movement of the front four to split the defence with a through ball.
This 4-2-4 formation is a high risk and high reward lineup designed for aggressive attacking football. It is best suited for games where Salernitana needs to chase a result against a side that drops into a low block.