Santos Football Formation

Starting Lineup

G. BRAZÃO (João Paulo) · JP CHERMONT (Leo Godoy | Aderlan) · DANILO (Luisão) · LUAN PERES (Zé Ivaldo) · SOUZA (Escobar) · W. ARÃO (Pituca | T. Rincón) · T. MAIA (Barreal | Hyan) · NEYMAR JR. (*reforço*) · SOTELDO (Guilherme) · DEIVID WASHINGTON ((*reforço*) | Thaciano) · TIQUINHO SOARES (Luca Meirelles)

Santos relies on a direct and vertical style of play using a 4-4-2 formation. This lineup seeks to win the ball and push forward quickly to exploit gaps in the opposition. The team wants to use the width of the pitch to create chances while maintaining a compact block when out of possession.

G. Brazão sits between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit functions as a flat back four where JP Chermont and Souza act as full backs to provide width. Danilo and Luan Peres operate as central defenders, with Danilo providing aerial strength and Luan Peres acting as a ball playing defender. This defensive line works to hold the line and minimize space between the defenders and the midfield.

A double pivot sits in front of the back four to control the middle of the pitch. W. Arão and T. Maia work together to protect the centre of the defense and win the second ball. T. Maia acts to shield the defense while W. Arão looks to carry the ball forward and connect the defensive and attacking lines. This midfield pairing allows the team to transition from a defensive block into an attacking phase.

The attacking unit utilizes two forwards in a partnership to pin the opposition defenders. Tiquinho Soares and Deivid Washington work together to press the opposition back line and make runs in behind. Soteldo and Neymar Jr. operate as wide players in the midfield line, with Neymar Jr. known for his dribbling style and passing range. They cut inside to create overloads in the half spaces, allowing the team to attack in combinations or use the wingers to pull wide and stretch the defense.

Santos offers several tactical advantages through this setup. The double pivot of W. Arão and T. Maia provides compactness when defending in a mid-block. The team can create wide overloads as Soteldo and Neymar Jr. move inward, leaving space for the full backs to overlap. This configuration also allows for quick transitions to hit teams in behind on the transition.

This 4-4-2 formation provides a balanced way to compete through direct play and wide attacking movements. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to exploit space on the counter at pace against a high line.