São Paulo Football Formation

Starting Lineup

23- Rafael
5- Rômulo
28- A. Franco
4- Morato
94- Danielzinho
8- Marcos A.
9- J. Calleri
18- Wendell
37- Artur V.
10- Luciano
21- Everton C.

São Paulo uses a 3-4-3 formation designed to play with high intensity and directness. This lineup relies on verticality to move the ball quickly from the back to the front line. The goal is to squeeze the pitch and use wide players to stretch the opposition defense.

Rafael acts as the last line of defense in goal. The back line consists of three central defenders where Morato and A. Franco cover the wide areas of the three man unit while Rômulo holds the center. The wide defenders in this formation, Artur V. and Wendell, act as wing backs who must push high to provide width and track back to prevent crosses. This unit must stay compact to prevent the opposition from breaking the line through the middle.

The midfield operates with two central players, Danielzinho and Marcos A., who form a central duo. Danielzinho and Marcos A. must work together to shield the defense and win second balls. They connect the back three to the attacking trio by making short passes or switching play to the flanks. When the team wins the ball, these players drive forward to support the press or help the wing backs move up the pitch.

Up front, São Paulo utilizes three attackers consisting of Everton C., Luciano, and J. Calleri. J. Calleri acts as the lone striker who holds up the ball and battles with central defenders. Everton C. and Luciano operate as wide attackers who cut inside to create chances or shoot. This front line is tasked with a high press to force mistakes from the opposition. The movement of Luciano and Everton C. creates space in the channels for the wing backs to overlap.

This formation offers clear tactical advantages, such as the ability to press high in coordinated waves using the front three. The presence of Artur V. and Wendell allows for wide overloads when they push forward to join the wingers. Additionally, the three central defenders provide stability against long balls and allow the team to maintain compactness when they sit deep.

The 3-4-3 lineup provides a balanced way to control the wide areas while maintaining a strong central presence. This formation is best suited for games where the team needs to dominate the wings and push the opponent back into their own half.