Alavés Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1. Sivera
17. Otto
14. Tenaglia
24. Parada
3. Yusi
7. ÁngelPérez
19. PabloIbáñez
8. ABlanco
18. Guridi
11. ToniMtnz
22. Diabate

Alavés uses a 4-4-2 formation to play a direct and hard working style of football. This lineup focuses on maintaining two compact banks of four to deny space between the lines. The goal for Alavés is to stay compact while using quick transitions to catch the opposition off guard.

Sivera acts as the last line of defense behind a flat back four. Tenaglia and Parada occupy the central defender roles, where they must track runners and win aerial duels. Yusi and Otto operate as full backs on the flanks. They are tasked to hold the line when the team sits deep but must push up to provide width when the team wins the ball. The defensive unit works together to shift as a single block to close down passing lanes.

The midfield functions as a central block of four players. ABlanco and PabloIbáñez occupy the central roles to shield the defense and break the line with vertical passes. ABlanco works to intercept play and disrupt the opponent. PabloIbáñez connects the defense to the attack by moving the ball forward. On the wings, Guridi and ÁngelPérez provide width and must track back to help the full backs. These four players must remain close to one another to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.

The attacking unit consists of two forwards, Diabate and ToniMtnz. They work as a pair to press the opposing center backs and force mistakes. Diabate and ToniMtnz often work together to hold up the ball and wait for the midfield to push up. The attack relies on the wingers to cross the ball into the box. The movement of these two forwards is designed to stretch the opposing defense and create gaps in the central areas.

This formation offers clear tactical advantages such as compactness when defending in a mid block. The two banks of four make it very difficult for opponents to find space in the half spaces. Alavés can also use the wide areas to create overloads when Otto and Yusi overlap their midfielders. The two strikers allow for a quick two man press that can force turnovers high up the pitch.

This 4-4-2 formation relies on hard work and defensive discipline to remain solid. It is a lineup best suited for matches against possession based teams where the goal is to sit deep and hit on the break.