Ajax Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Ter stegen · Daley blind (Fitz jim / mokio) · Klaasen (Regeer) · Gloukh (Bounida) · Godts (Van dongen) · Carrizo (Berghuis) · Henrique (?) · Baas (Janse) · Itakura (Bouwman) · ? (Rosa) · ? (Konadu)

Ajax aims to dominate the ball and control the rhythm of the game through a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to play a possession based game where the team seeks to control large areas of the pitch. By maintaining high possession, Ajax looks to tire the opposition and create space through constant ball movement and high pressing.

Ter stegen acts as the goalkeeper and starts the build up from the back. The defense operates as a flat back four with Itakura and Baas occupying the center. Itakura serves as a ball playing defender who can progress the ball, while Baas provides cover in the central zone. Henrique plays as the left back and is tasked to push up the pitch, whereas the right back must balance the defensive line when Henrique moves forward. The defensive unit works to keep a high line to squeeze the space in the middle of the pitch.

The midfield utilizes a three man midfield with a carrier and a creative presence. Daley blind operates in the left central midfield role where he can drop deep to receive from the defenders and help play out from the back. Klaasen plays as the right central midfielder and is tasked to drive forward with the ball into the final third. Gloukh plays as an attacking ten behind the striker to connect the midfield and the attack. This group works to win the ball back high up the pitch and quickly move it to the wide areas.

Ajax uses three attackers across the front to stretch the defence. Godts plays as a left winger who likes to cut inside to create goal scoring chances, while Carrizo acts as the right winger to provide width. The lone striker serves as the focal point of the attack to hold up the ball and allow the midfielders to arrive late into the box. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This attacking unit relies on quick combinations to find the feet of the striker or hit in behind on the transition.

The main advantages of this formation are the ability to press high in coordinated waves and the capacity to create numerical superiority in midfield. By having Gloukh push forward, Ajax can often overwhelm the opposition central area. This setup also allows for wide overloads when the full backs join the wingers to create two on one situations against the opposition defenders.

This 4-3-3 formation is designed for a team that wants to dictate the tempo through heavy ball retention. It is best suited for matches against teams that sit deep and defend in a low block.