Paraguay National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

12. Gill
4. Caceres
6. Alonso
3. Alderete
15. Gomez
8. Gomez
14. Cubas
16. Bobadilla
10. Almiron
9. Sanabria
19. Enciso

Paraguay aims to remain compact and defend in a deep block, utilizing a 5-4-1 formation. This lineup is built to absorb pressure and hit opponents on the transition. The side relies on a disciplined defensive unit to squeeze the space between the lines, waiting for the right moment to release the ball to the forward.

Sanabria stays between the posts to manage the defensive line. The back five consists of a central trio made of Enciso, Gomez, and Cubas, who act as the core of the defensive unit. Gomez and Cubas provide strength in the air and cover the central zones, while Enciso plays as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back. On the flanks, Bobadilla acts as an attacking wing back on the left, while Almiron operates as an attacking wing back on the right. These wide defenders must track back to form a flat five when the opponent has the ball, but they are expected to push up to provide width when the team wins it back.

The midfield functions as a flat four designed to protect the central areas. Alonso and Alderete operate as the central pair to shield the defence and win the second ball. Alonso works to connect the defensive and attacking lines, while Alderete looks to intercept passes and break the line. Caceres occupies the left side of the midfield to press aggressively and help Bobadilla, while Gomez stays on the right to support Almiron. This unit must shift together to deny the turn to opposition players and maintain a narrow defensive block.

In the attacking phase, the team relies on a lone striker in Gill. Gill acts as a pressing centre forward to harass the opposition back line and hold up the ball to allow the midfield to move forward. There is no second striker in the hole, so the width must come from the wing backs. Bobadilla and Almiron are tasked to overlap the midfielders to provide crosses. The team plays to isolate Gill in one on one situations or uses quick transitions to catch the opponent out of position.

One major advantage for Paraguay is the compactness when defending, which makes it very difficult for opponents to play through the middle. The formation also offers width through the wing backs, creating potential for quick counter attacks. By using the five defenders, the team can quickly shift into a low block to deny space.

This 5-4-1 formation is a defensive tool used to frustrate teams that dominate possession. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to sit deep and rely on the pace of the transition.