Alavés Football Formation

Starting Lineup

ANTONIO (SIVERA) · NAHUEL (TENAGLIA) · JONNY (OTTO) · NICOLÁS (VALENTINI) · VILLE (KOSKI) · ANTONIO (BLANCO) · PABLO (IBÁÑEZ) · ÁNGEL (PÉREZ) · ABDE (REBBACH) · LUCAS (BOYÉ) · TONI (MARTÍNEZ)

Alavés looks to play a direct and vertical brand of football using a 4-2-4. This formation is built to stretch the opposition and attack with heavy numbers in the final third. The main goal is to hit the opponent on the break and exploit large spaces left behind their defensive line.

In goal, ANTONIO acts as the last line of defense. The defensive unit operates as a flat back four that can shift horizontally to close down passing lanes. NAHUEL plays as the right back to provide stability while JONNY works as the left back. In the center, VILLE and NICOLÁS form the partnership tasked with winning the second ball and clearing the lines when under pressure. This back four must hold the line to ensure the team does not get caught out by long balls.

The midfield relies on a double pivot to provide a screen for the defense. ANTONIO and PABLO work to shield the back four and win possession in the middle third. PABLO is tasked to carry the ball forward and connect the defensive unit to the attacking line. ANTONIO must focus on recycling possession and protecting the space between the midfield and the defense. This duo works to intercept passes and quickly switch play to the wide areas to start transitions.

The attacking front line is designed to pin the last defender and force the opposition into a deep block. ABDE and ÁNGEL operate as wide wingers who look to get to the byline and deliver crosses into the box. TONI and LUCAS play as a strike partnership, with one often acting as a target man to hold up the ball. This duo creates runs in behind to stretch the defense and allows the wingers to isolate players in one on one situations. The front four press from the front to trigger a press high up the pitch.

Alavés gains a massive advantage when they can use their four attackers to create wide overloads. The combination of wingers and overlapping full backs like NAHUEL allows the team to pin the opposition back. Another strength is the speed of transition when ANTONIO or PABLO win the ball and immediately find the forwards. This setup makes it very difficult for opponents to defend the wide areas and the central channels at the same time.

This 4-2-4 formation is a high risk, high reward system meant to overwhelm opponents through sheer numbers. It is best suited for games where the opponent plays a high line and leaves space behind their defenders.