Girona Football Formation

Starting Lineup

P. BADER (73) · WOJCIECHOWSKI (76) · G. CONCHA (74) · A-M. KHAIRAT (71) · P. VALENCIA (68) · WILLIAN PERES (74) · A. OPREA (70) · F. VEDEL (75) · J. OKONKWO (65) · BASI APARICIO (67) · L. DOMINGO (68)

Girona relies on a vertical style of play that seeks to exploit transitions through a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup aims to be defensively solid while using the wide areas to stretch the opposition. The team wants to win the ball back and quickly move it into the final third to catch the opponent out of position.

P. BADER stays between the posts to command the area and organize the defensive line. The defense works as a back five where L. DOMINGO and P. VALENCIA act as the central defenders to hold the line and win the header. A-M. KHAIRAT sits as a left center back to cover the space behind the wing back. On the flanks, G. CONCHA operates as an attacking wing back to provide width, while WOJCIECHOWSKI acts as a defensive wing back to protect the right side. This unit functions to keep a compact shape when sitting deep.

The midfield functions as a double pivot consisting of A. OPREA and WILLIAN PERES. These two players must work hard to shield the defence and cover the gaps left by the advancing wing backs. A. OPREA helps to connect the defensive and attacking lines by receiving the ball from the centre backs, while WILLIAN PERES tries to carry the ball forward to drive the team into the middle third. This duo is responsible for winning the second ball and ensuring the team does not get bypassed in the center.

Girona uses three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. BASI APARICIO acts as a pressing centre forward to force a long ball from the opposition. J. OKONKWO and F. VEDEL play as wide wingers who look to cut inside and find the feet of the striker. The movement is designed to create runs in behind and allow the wingers to isolate a one on one wide. When attacking, the wing backs push high to support the front three and provide cutbacks from the byline.

This formation offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves when the ball is lost. By using five defenders, Girona maintains compactness when defending against teams that want to play through the lines. The presence of three forwards also allows for wide overloads when the wing backs overlap the winger to create extra passing options.

Girona uses this 5-2-3 formation to remain hard to beat while staying dangerous on the break. This setup is best suited for facing teams that dominate possession and leave space behind their high defensive line.