Boca Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Leandro Brey (12) · Lautaro Di Lollo (2) · Marco Pellegrino (26) · Lautaro Blanco (3) · Dylan Gorosito (48) · Milton Delgado (18) · Santiago Ascacíbar (25) · Leandro Paredes (5) · Tomás Aranda (36) · Adam Bareiro (28) · Miguel Merentiel (16)

Boca uses a 5-3-2 formation to build a defensively solid unit. The team focuses on sitting deep and playing a vertical style that relies on quick transitions. This lineup is designed to absorb pressure in the middle of the pitch and hit the opponent on the break.

Leandro Brey stands in goal to organize the defensive unit. The back line works as a trio of central defenders with Milton Delgado, Marco Pellegrino, and Lautaro Di Lollo occupying the central zones. Lautaro Blanco and Dylan Gorosito play as wing backs, meaning they must overlap to provide width and track back to cover the flanks. The trio focuses on marking attackers and being dominant in the air to stop any direct service into the box.

The midfield functions as a central trio that links the defense to the front two. Leandro Paredes operates in the right central role, using his passing range and vision to drive the ball forward. Santiago Ascacíbar plays in the left central position to shield the defense and intercept passes. Tomás Aranda acts as the attacking ten, pushing high to connect the lines and find pockets of space. This group works to hold the middle of the pitch and break the line with direct passing.

Up front, the team uses two forwards, Adam Bareiro and Miguel Merentiel. They work together to press the opposition high up the pitch when the ball is lost. Adam Bareiro moves to hold up the ball and allow others to push forward, while Miguel Merentiel makes runs to exploit the space behind the defense. The width of the attack comes from the wing backs who cross the ball into the box, while the strikers maintain a strong central presence.

One major advantage for Boca is the compactness when defending in a low block. The team can shift quickly between a five man defense and an attacking formation. The wing backs allow for wide overloads, which forces the opponent to stretch. Another strength is the ability to isolate Adam Bareiro and Miguel Merentiel in one on one situations during a fast transition.

This formation creates a very hard team to break down through the middle. It is best suited for games against teams that control possession and leave gaps behind their defensive line.