Brazil National Football Team Formation
Starting Lineup
NEYMAR JR · VINI JR · RAPHINHA · PAQUETA · CASEMIRO · CUNHA · WESLEY · MARQUINHOS · GABRIEL · ALISSON · CARLOSBrazil aims to control the game through high pressing and quick vertical movements in a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and use the individual quality of the forwards to break the lines. The team wants to dominate the ball and use their technical ability to move the opposition around the pitch.
Alisson plays as the goalkeeper, acting as a sweeper behind a high line to cover long balls. The back line operates as a flat back four, with Marquinhos and Gabriel acting as the central defenders. Marquinhos is dominant in the air and helps to guide the defensive unit. Wesley and Carlos act as attacking full backs, pushing high to provide width and overlap the winger. Gabriel and Marquinhos must hold the line to prevent runs in behind while the team pushes up.
The midfield functions with a three man midfield with a carrier to bridge the gaps. Casemiro acts as the single pivot to shield the defence and win the second ball. Paqueta plays as an inverted eight, driving forward with the ball to connect the defensive and attacking lines. Neymar Jr plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, looking to find the feet of the striker or play through the lines. This midfield group works to recycle possession and ensure the team stays compact when the ball is lost.
Brazil uses three attackers across the front to stretch the defence. Vini Jr and Raphinha act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create goal scoring chances. Vini Jr uses his explosive dribbling style to take on defenders one on one. Cunha operates as a pressing centre-forward, working to pin the last defender and hold up the ball for the incoming midfielders. The forwards work in combinations to create cutbacks from the byline or find space for late runs into the box.
This formation offers Brazil the advantage of wide overloads when Wesley and Carlos push forward. The presence of Neymar Jr creates numerical superiority in the central areas to help the team progress through the thirds. The high press from Cunha and the wingers allows the team to win it back high up the pitch and attack immediately.
The 4-3-3 formation provides a platform for Brazil to use their technical talent to dismantle defences. This lineup is best suited for games where they can squeeze the space and exploit the space left behind a high defensive line.