Boca Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1- Esteban Andrada* (12- L. Brey)
4- Juan Foyth* (42- L. Blondel)
2- Adonis Frías* (40- L. Di Lollo)
32- Ayrton Costa (26- M. Pellegrino)
23- Lautaro Blanco (27- M. Braida)
10- Leandro Paredes* © (6- R. Battaglia)
5- Wilmar Barrios* (43- M. Delgado)
20- Alan Velasco (30- V. Taborda)
7- Franco Cristaldo* (8- C. Palacios)
16- Miguel Merentiel (28- G. Morales)
19- Ezequiel Ávila* (9- M. Giménez)

Boca focuses on a direct and vertical style of play using a 4-4-2 formation. This lineup is built to win the second ball and move quickly through the thirds to catch opponents out of position. The team looks to squeeze the space in the middle and use the width of the pitch to stretch the defence when they win possession.

Esteban Andrada guards the goal as the primary shot stopper. In front of him, the back four acts as a solid line. Juan Foyth plays as the right back to provide defensive solidity and cover the wide areas, while Lautaro Blanco operates as the left back to push up the pitch. The central pairing of Adonis Frías and Ayrton Costa remains compact to defend zonally. Frías provides aerial strength to win headers, while Costa focuses on covering the space behind his partner. The unit works to hold the line and keep the distance between the defenders and the midfield tight.

The midfield functions with a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. Leandro Paredes, the captain, acts as the deep lying playmaker with an impressive passing range to recycle possession and find teammates. Wilmar Barrios sits alongside him to shield the defence and press aggressively to win the ball high. Moving ahead of them, Franco Cristaldo operates as the right attacking midfielder to link the play, while Alan Velasco plays as the left attacking midfielder to carry the ball forward. This midfield group works to connect the defensive unit to the front line by playing through the lines.

Boca employs two forwards in a partnership to lead the attack. Miguel Merentiel acts as the left striker, using his movement to find pockets of space, while Ezequiel Ávila plays as the right striker to press the opposition back line. The team relies on combination play between the two forwards and the attacking midfielders to create chances. They look to hit in behind on the transition and use the width provided by the full backs to whip it in toward the box.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to win the second ball through the presence of the double pivot. The pairing of Paredes and Barrios allows the team to maintain compactness when defending a lead. Additionally, the team can create wide overloads when Blanco and Foyth push high to support the attacking midfielders.

This 4-4-2 lineup is built for high intensity and quick transitions. It is best suited for games against teams that leave space behind their midfield.