Nantes Football Formation

Starting Lineup

ALBAN (LAFONT) · JEAN-CHARLES (CASTELLETTO) · NICOLAS (PALLOIS) · JEAN-KEVIN (DUVERNE) · KELVIN (AMIAN) · PEDRO (CHIRIVELLA) · DOUGLAS · NICOLAS (COZZA) · MATTHIS (ABLINE) · MOSTAFA (MOHAMED) · MOSES (SIMON)

Nantes focuses on a direct and vertical style of play to catch opponents off guard. The lineup utilizes a 3-4-3 formation to provide both central density and wide attacking options. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and move through the thirds with speed to exploit spaces.

ALBAN operates as the goalkeeper to organize the defensive unit from the back. The defensive line consists of a back three where NICOLAS acts as the central defender to anchor the zone. JEAN-KEVIN plays on the left as the left centre-back and JEAN-CHARLES sits on the right as the right centre-back. They work together to hold the line and defend zonally. The defenders step up to set the offside trap or drop into a mid-block depending on where the ball is located.

The midfield works as a four man block to control the tempo and the center of the pitch. DOUGLAS and PEDRO act as a central pairing to shield the defense and recycle possession. DOUGLAS focuses on sitting deep to deny the pivot of the opposition, while PEDRO looks to carry the ball forward and connect the defensive and attacking lines. KELVIN and NICOLAS operate as wide midfielders to provide the necessary width and track back to support the defenders. This four man unit helps to compress the midfield and squeeze the space.

Nantes employs three attackers to stretch the opposition defense across the width of the pitch. MOSTAFA leads the line as a lone striker who works to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. MATTHIS and MOSES act as wide attackers who look to cut inside and create chances in the half-spaces. They often look to play one-two combinations to break the line. The front three press from the front to force a long ball and win the second ball in advanced areas.

A major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when the wide midfielders push up to support the wingers. The team can also press high in coordinated waves to win it back high up the pitch. This allows for quick transitions to catch the opponent while they are out of position and hit in behind on the transition.

The Nantes 3-4-3 is a high intensity system that relies on verticality and pressing. It is best suited for matches against opponents that prefer to play short from the back.