York Football Formation

Starting Lineup

MAZACOTTE · MIRANDA · CANDIA · ARANDA · MANZUR · BENITEZ · A. SILVA · BAREIRO · SALGUIERO · PITTONI · M. SILVA

York aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and catch opponents on the break using a 3-5-2 formation. The team seeks to squeeze the space in the opposition half to trigger a press. This allows the players to move the ball forward quickly and win the second ball. The players look to control the middle and progress through the thirds with speed.

M. SILVA stands in goal to command the area. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of CANDIA, MANZUR, and MIRANDA. MANZUR sits in the center to win the header and clear the lines when under pressure. CANDIA and MIRANDA act as wide centre-backs to cover the space and protect the flanks. They often defend in a mid-block to keep the team compact. The unit works to hold the line and set the offside trap when the opposition tries to play through the lines.

The midfield features BENITEZ acting as a single pivot to shield the defense. MAZACOTTE and ARANDA play as the two central midfielders who drive forward with the ball and connect the defensive and attacking lines. They are ready to intercept a pass or cover for the wide players. PITTONI and A. SILVA operate as wide midfielders who spread wide to stretch the defence. They are tasked to track back when the ball is lost and to press aggressively to win the ball high.

In the final third, the team uses a partnership of two forwards, BAREIRO and SALGUIERO. BAREIRO and SALGUIERO work to press the opposition back line and force a long ball. They look to combine in tight spaces and play a one-two to break the line. The attack is built through runs in behind and cutbacks from the byline. PITTONI and A. SILVA provide the width needed to pull wide and create space for BAREIRO and SALGUIERO to link-up play between the lines.

A major strength of this York lineup is the numerical superiority in midfield. With BENITEZ, MAZACOTTE, and ARANDA, the team can control the center of the pitch. Another advantage is the ability to press in coordinated waves to win the ball high up the pitch. The team also finds success through the speed of transition, using the movement of the strikers to hit in behind on the transition.

This 3-5-2 formation is designed to dominate the center of the pitch through a heavy midfield presence. It is best suited for matches against teams that play with wide wingers and leave space for runs in behind.