Argentina National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Emiliano Martínez (GK) · Daniel Passarella (SW) · Walter Samuel (CB) · Silvio Marzolini (LB) · Javier Zanetti (RB) · Javier Mascherano (DM) · Alfredo Di Stéfano (CM) · Diego Maradona (AM) · Ángel Labruna (LW) · Lionel Messi (RW) · Mario Kempes (CF)

Argentina plays with a high press and vertical intent using a 5-2-3. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike with rapid speed. The team aims to control the central areas while using the wing backs to stretch the defence.

Emiliano Martínez sits in goal to command the box. The defensive unit functions as a back five with Javier Mascherano, Daniel Passarella, and Walter Samuel in the middle. Passarella is dominant in the air and can help clear the lines during set pieces. Samuel acts as a covering defender to sweep behind the line. Javier Zanetti plays as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, while Silvio Marzolini plays as a left wing back to overlap the winger. The unit stays compact when defending in a mid-block to deny the turn to opponents.

The midfield functions as a double pivot. Alfredo Di Stéfano acts as a carrier to drive forward with the ball and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Diego Maradona uses his dribbling and passing range to create from deep and play through the lines. Di Stéfano helps to recycle possession, while Maradona looks to press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch. This pair must work hard to pick up runners and prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.

The attack features three players across the front. Mario Kempes works as a pressing centre-forward to lead the line and hold up the ball. Lionel Messi operates as an inverted winger on the right who likes to cut inside to create, using his dribbling and passing range to split the defence with a through ball. Ángel Labruna plays as a wide attacker on the left to stretch the defence. The front three look to combine in tight spaces to create runs in behind or get to the byline to deliver early crosses.

One major advantage for Argentina is the wide overloads created by the overlapping runs of Javier Zanetti and Silvio Marzolini. The team also possesses incredible speed of transition to hit in behind on the transition. This ability to counter at pace allows the players to exploit teams that play a high line.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for a high-intensity game that relies on winning the ball and attacking quickly. It is best suited for facing teams that leave large spaces behind their defenders.