Auxerre Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Léon (De Percin) · Joly (Dagba / N'Gatta) · Jubal (Agouzoul) · Pellenard (Agouzoul) · Mensah (Akpa) · Owusu (Dioussé) · Raveloson (Danois) · Ayé (Onaiwu) · Perrin (Oniawu / Soumaré) · Hein · Sinayoko (Perrin / Maddy)

Auxerre focuses on being a defensively solid unit that waits to strike. This 5-4-1 formation is built to play a style that relies on absorbing pressure. The team looks to sit deep in a low block and react to the opposition. It is a lineup meant to deny space in the central areas and force the opponent to the flanks.

Ayé guards the goal from deep. The defensive unit uses a back five to defend zonally and maintain a narrow defensive block. Hein, Owusu, and Raveloson form the central part of the block. Hein acts to clear the lines and manage the defensive line while Owusu provides cover for his partners. Raveloson stays deep to manage the left side. Perrin and Sinayoko act as attacking wing backs. They are tasked to push up and provide width in possession, but they must track back to ensure the team does not get caught on the break.

The midfield functions as a flat four to squeeze the space in the middle. Jubal and Pellenard form a central pairing to shield the defence and win the second ball. Jubal looks to carry the ball forward, while Pellenard sits deeper to protect the back three and recycle possession. On the wings, Joly and Mensah operate to press in a mid-block. They work to win the ball high up the pitch and then spread wide to offer an outlet for the team to move up the field.

Léon acts as a lone striker to lead the attack. He must hold up the ball and try to find the feet of his teammates. His movement is designed to pin the last defender and create space for others to run into. When Auxerre recovers the ball, Joly and Mensah look to get to the byline and whip it in for the striker. The team works to hit in behind on the transition using quick combinations.

The formation offers great compactness when defending. It is hard for opponents to play through the lines because the central area is so heavily occupied. Auxerre also benefits from the speed of transition. By using Perrin and Sinayoko to stretch the defence, the team can switch play and catch teams out of position. This allows the players to exploit space quickly once the ball is won.

This 5-4-1 lineup is built for defensive solidity and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for games against teams that dominate possession and leave space behind their high line.