Athletic Football Formation

Starting Lineup

UNAI SIMON · PAREDES · VIVIAN · BOIRO · ARESO · JAUREGIZAR · PRADOS DIAZ · SANNADI · SANCET · WILLIAMS · WILLIAMS

Athletic plays a high tempo and vertical game built around a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball high up the pitch to create immediate attacking opportunities. By keeping a high intensity, Athletic Club aims to pin the opposition in their own half and strike quickly before they can settle.

Unai Simon commands the area from goal, using his shot stopping and ability to sweep behind a high line to manage the space. The defensive unit operates with a back four featuring Areso as the right back and Boiro at left back. In the centre, Vivian and Paredes form the heart of the defence. Vivian is dominant in the air and provides physical strength, while Paredes focuses on his ability to cover space and intercept passes. The unit works to hold a high line, squeezing the space to keep the team compact.

The midfield is a double pivot consisting of Jauregizar and Prados Diaz. Their main job is to shield the defence and win the second ball. Jauregizar acts as a carrier to drive forward with the ball, while Prados Diaz looks to recycle possession and move the play through the thirds. They serve as the vital link between the back four and the heavy attacking line, making sure to pick up runners and cover the gaps when the team pushes forward.

In the final third, the team uses four attackers to stretch the defence. The wide wingers, Williams and Williams, look to stay wide or cut inside to use their pace and dribbling to isolate defenders. Sancet and Sannadi form the central partnership. Sancet often drops into the hole to receive on the half turn and play through the lines, while Sannadi acts as a pressing centre forward to force a long ball from the opposition. The team relies on quick combinations and wingers to get to the byline and whip it in for the strikers.

A clear strength of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for opponents to play out from the back. The team also creates wide overloads when Areso and Boiro overlap the wingers to provide extra passing options. The speed of transition allows the players to hit in behind on the transition and exploit any gaps in a retreating defence.

This 4-2-4 lineup makes Athletic a relentless and vertical side. It is best suited for facing teams that defend in a low block and struggle with high intensity.