El Nacional Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1 (Hernán Galindez) · Pacho (Pacho) · Hincapié (Hincapié) · Pervis estupiñan (Pervis) · Moisés caisedo · Gonzalo Plata · Jeremy Sarmiento · Joel Ordoñes · Pedro Vite · Enner valencia · John yeboha

El Nacional plays with a high press and a vertical identity through a 4-5-1 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly look to find the target man. The goal is to use heavy pressure to force mistakes and catch the opposition while they are out of position.

The goalkeeper starts the build up from the back while the defensive unit holds a high line. Pervis estupiñan operates as an attacking left back to provide width, while Hincapié acts as a right back to support the flanks. In the center, Pacho works as a ball playing defender alongside Joel Ordoñes, who focuses on covering space and winning the second ball. This back four works as a cohesive block to squeeze the space between the lines.

A three man midfield with a carrier and a holding player links the defense to the attack. Moisés caicedo sits in front of the defense to shield the back line and intercept passes. Pedro Vite connects the defensive and attacking lines by driving forward with the ball, while Jeremy Sarmiento operates as an inverted eight to find pockets of space. Gonzalo Plata provides energy in the central midfield area, and John yeboha plays as an attacking ten behind the striker to create chances.

The attack relies on a lone striker in Enner Valencia, who acts as a pressing centre forward to harass the opposition back line. El Nacional uses the movement of the midfielders to support the front line. Gonzalo Plata and Jeremy Sarmiento push forward to join the attack, creating a front four in transition. This allows the team to play through the lines and hit in behind on the transition, using the width provided by the full backs to stretch the defence.

This formation offers significant advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of Moisés caicedo allows the team to maintain compactness when defending in a mid block. Additionally, the team can create wide overloads when Pervis estupiñan and Hincapié push high to support the wide players.

El Nacional uses this 4-5-1 to dominate the middle of the pitch and strike with pace. It is best suited for matches against teams that try to build play slowly from the back.