Botafogo Football Formation

Starting Lineup

12- John
27- Bitello*
15- Bastos
26- Gregore
20- A. Barboza
8- Wendel*
17- M. Freitas
13- Alex Telles
10- J. Savarino
99- Igor Jesus
23- S. Rodríguez*

Botafogo looks to play a direct and vertical style of football using a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and use quick transitions to catch the opposition out of position. The goal is to use wide areas to stretch the defence and create chances through high intensity movement.

John guards the goal as the lone goalkeeper in this system. The defensive unit operates as a back three where Gregore acts as the central defender to command the middle of the line. Bastos plays as the right centre back to provide aerial strength and cover the space behind the midfield, while A. Barboza occupies the left centre back role to play out from the back. This defensive unit works together to stay compact and prevent any runs in behind.

The midfield functions with a central pairing of Wendel and M. Freitas. Wendel operates as a carrier to move the ball forward, while M. Freitas works to shield the defence and win the second ball. They are flanked by wide players Bitello and Alex Telles who act as wing backs to provide width. Bitello and Alex Telles must track back to help the back three when the team loses possession, but they also push high to support the attack.

In the final third, Botafogo employs three attackers to pin the last defender. Igor Jesus leads the line as a pressing centre forward to disrupt the opposition build up. He is supported by J. Savarino on the right wing and S. Rodríguez on the left wing. J. Savarino and S. Rodríguez often cut inside to create space for the wing backs to overlap. The front three work to make runs in behind and combine in tight spaces to split the defence with a through ball.

A major advantage for Botafogo is the ability to press high in coordinated waves using the front three and the midfield. The wide players Alex Telles and Bitello allow the team to create wide overloads when they push forward. This formation also offers great speed of transition when the team wins the ball and can immediately look to hit in behind on the transition.

This 3-4-3 formation is built for a high tempo game that relies on winning the ball back quickly. It is best suited for facing opponents who play a high line and can be caught by fast attackers.