Eibar Football Formation

Starting Lineup

26. Ulreich
2. Tekio
3. Yerry Mina
23. Qvist
12. Kurzawa
14. Milner
24. Campaña
10. Aleñá
7. Arda Turan
21. Carrillo
9. Braithwaite

Eibar seeks to control games through a compact mid block and quick verticality in a 4-5-1. This formation relies on a heavy workload for the midfield to congest the central areas and prevent opponents from playing through the middle. By using this lineup, the team aims to sit deep when out of possession and strike quickly on the break when they win the ball back.

Ulreich guards the goal and directs the back line. A flat back four consists of Tekio at right back and Kurzawa at left back. Yerry Mina acts as a central defender who uses his aerial strength to clear crosses, while Qvist provides cover alongside him. The wide defenders are tasked with tracking back to help the center backs, making sure the defensive unit stays tight and keeps the distance between the lines small.

The midfield operates with a single pivot and a bank of four to protect the defense. Milner and Campaña act as the double pivot to shield the back four and intercept passes. Arda Turan and Aleñá operate in the central areas to connect the defense to the attack by moving the ball quickly. Carrillo plays as the attacking ten, sitting behind the striker to find pockets of space and drive the team forward when they win possession.

Braithwaite leads the line as a lone striker. He is tasked to hold up the ball and allow the midfielders to push up the pitch. The attack relies on the movement of Carrillo to link play, while the wide midfielders push into half spaces to support the striker. The goal is to create situations where the ball can be switched quickly to the flanks or played directly into the channels to catch the opposition defense off guard.

Eibar gains a major advantage through their ability to compress the space between the midfield and the defense. This makes it difficult for opponents to find gaps, often forcing them to play wide where the team can shift and block passing lanes. Another strength is the speed of transition, as players like Carrillo and Braithwaite can immediately push forward the moment the ball is won.

This 4-5-1 formation provides Eibar with a very solid defensive base and a reliable way to counter. It is best suited for matches against teams that dominate possession where sitting deep and absorbing pressure is necessary.