Athlético Paranaense Football Formation

Starting Lineup

23- Santos
29- G. Benavídez
8- Otávio*
9- K. Viveros
37- L. Esquivel
3- Léo Pelé
10- B. Zapelli
5- Filipinho
11- Lição
4- João Victor*
20- M. Frizzo*

Aiming to dominate through aggressive pressing and direct play, Athlético Paranaense relies on a 3-4-3 formation to push opponents back and win the ball in advanced areas. The goal is to play a vertical game that forces mistakes and transitions into attack as quickly as possible.

Santos sits in goal to command the area and start builds. The defensive unit works as a back three featuring G. Benavídez, Léo Pelé, and João Victor. João Victor acts as a key presence in the middle, while Benavídez and Léo Pelé cover the wider areas of the defensive line. They often step up to squeeze the play or drop back to protect against runners in behind. The back line must stay compact to prevent gaps from opening between the defenders.

The midfield uses a four-man unit to control the center and the flanks. Filipinho and Otávio play as the central duo, tasked to shield the defense and break the line with vertical passes. They must work hard to intercept the ball and prevent opposition playmakers from turning. On the wings, L. Esquivel and Lição provide the width. They are required to overlap the attackers or track back to help the defense when the team loses possession. This unit connects the defensive block to the front line by switching play across the pitch.

The attack is driven by three players who target the opposition's defensive gaps. K. Viveros operates as the central striker, using his presence to hold up the ball and wait for support. B. Zapelli and M. Frizzo play as wingers, looking to cut inside and move toward the goal. Their movements create space for the midfielders to push forward. The front three press in coordinated waves to force errors in the opponent's buildup.

One major strength for Athlético Paranaense is the ability to create wide overloads. When L. Esquivel and Lição push high, they work with B. Zapelli and M. Frizzo to overwhelm the opponent's defenders. The formation also allows for a high press that can trap opponents in their own half. Having three central defenders gives the team security when defending against long balls or crosses, allowing the rest of the team to commit more bodies to the attack.

The 3-4-3 formation is a high intensity way to play that relies on constant pressure. It is most effective against teams that play a slow buildup and struggle to handle a heavy press.