Alavés Football Formation

Starting Lineup

ADRIÁN (RODRÍGUEZ) · HUGO (NOVOA) · YOUSSEF (ENRÍQUEZ) · VILLE (KOSKI) · XANET (OLÁIZ) · CARLOS (PROTESONI) · ANDER (GUEVARA) · ÁNGEL (PÉREZ) · MIGUEL (RODRÍGUEZ) · AITOR (MAÑAS) · MARIANO (DÍAZ)

Alavés aims to play a highly vertical brand of football through a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup focuses on aggressive transitions and direct attacks to catch the opposition off guard. The team looks to strike quickly once they win the ball, utilizing the width and speed of their forward line to stretch the opposing backline.

ADRIÁN operates between the posts to organize the defensive unit. The back four functions as a flat back four when defending in a mid-block. HUGO acts as a defensive wing back to help secure the right side, while YOUSSEF provides coverage on the left. In the center, VILLE and XANET must stay compact to defend zonally and ensure they do not get pulled out of position. These defenders work to hold the line and clear the lines when the pressure becomes too intense.

The midfield consists of a double pivot designed to protect the back four. CARLOS and ANDER work to shield the defense and win the second ball in the center of the pitch. They are tasked to connect the defensive unit to the attacking front by recycling possession or playing direct passes into the forwards. While they must sit deep to prevent counter attacks, they also need to step up to press in a mid-block and stop the opposition from playing out from the back.

Up front, Alavés employs two forwards in a partnership with two wide attackers. MARIANO and AITOR act as the central strikers to pin the last defender and fight for aerial strength in the box. MIGUEL and ÁNGEL play as wide wingers who look to cut inside or hug the touchline to create width. This front four is designed to press from the front, forcing the opposition to play long balls that the midfield and defense can intercept. They aim to hit in behind on the transition and deliver crosses to the strikers.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when the wingers and full backs combine. The team can also exploit the space behind the opposition defense through the speed of their four attackers. By keeping a compact shape in the middle with the double pivot, Alavés can transition from a defensive block to a heavy attack in seconds.

This 4-2-4 lineup is built for teams that want to play a high risk, high reward game. It is best suited for matches against opponents who struggle to defend deep against rapid counter attacks.