Paraguay National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

R. Fernández 50% · G. Gómez · O. Alderete 90% · J. Cáceres 90% · J. Alonso 90% · A. Cubas 90% · D. Bobadilla 60% · J. Enciso · M. Almirón 90% · D. Gómez 80% · A. Sanabria 50%

Paraguay aims to play a compact and defensive style of football using a 4-5-1 formation. This lineup focuses on sitting deep and winning the ball to launch quick attacks. The team works to congest the central areas to deny the opposition space between the lines.

R. Fernández guards the goal and directs the defensive unit. The back four consists of J. Alonso at left back and J. Cáceres at right back. In the middle, O. Alderete and G. Gómez form the central defensive pairing. O. Alderete provides aerial strength while G. Gómez works to cover the space behind him. The defenders look to hold a low block and force the opposition into wide areas.

The midfield is a five man unit designed to crowd the center of the pitch. A. Cubas and D. Bobadilla act as a double pivot to shield the defense. M. Almirón and D. Gómez operate in the half spaces to link the play, with M. Almirón using his dribbling style to carry the ball forward. J. Enciso operates in the middle to connect the lines and support the press. This group works to win the second ball and recycle possession quickly.

A. Sanabria plays as a lone striker and must hold up the ball to bring others into play. He works to pin the last defender and create space for late runs from the midfield. When the team wins the ball, the wide players look to spread wide and deliver crosses. The front line presses from the front to trigger a press and force a long ball from the opponent.

One main strength for Paraguay is the compactness when defending in a narrow block. The midfield and defensive lines move together to squeeze the space. Another advantage is the ability to use the speed of transition to catch opponents out. The team can move from a low block to an attacking position very quickly once the ball is recovered.

This formation is built to be defensively solid and rely on vertical movements. It is best suited for games against dominant sides where Paraguay needs to defend deep and strike on the counter.