Alavés Football Formation

Starting Lineup

ADRIÁN (RODRÍGUEZ) · HUGO (NOVOA) · YOUSSEF (ENRÍQUEZ) · XANET (OLÁIZ) · FACUNDO (GARCÉS) · ANDER (GUEVARA) · MIKEL (RODRÍGUEZ) · DENIS (SUÁREZ) · CARLES (ALEÑÀ) · MIGUEL (RODRÍGUEZ) · MARIANO (DÍAZ)

Alavés focuses on a high press and verticality through a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and attack the opposition defensive line with speed. The team seeks to play through the lines and use direct passing to catch the opponent out of position.

ADRIÁN acts as the last line of defense in goal. The back four operates as a zonal line, with HUGO playing as a right back and YOUSSEF acting as the left back. XANET and FACUNDO form the central pairing, where XANET covers the right side and FACUNDO manages the left. These defenders work together to squeeze the space and hold a compact shape when the team is forced to sit deep.

The midfield features a three-man midfield with a carrier role. MIKEL and ANDER occupy the central positions to control the middle, while DENIS operates as an attacking ten behind the striker. DENIS looks to find the feet of the striker or play through the lines to create chances. MIKEL and ANDER focus on winning the second ball and pressing in a mid-block to prevent the opponent from progressing through the thirds.

In the final third, Alavés uses three attackers across the front. MARIANO serves as a pressing centre-forward to harass the opposition center backs. MIGUEL and CARLES act as wide wingers who want to stretch the defence. MIGUEL prefers to cut inside to create central presence, while CARLES looks to get to the byline and whip it in for the striker. This movement creates runs in behind and allows the team to attack in combinations.

The tactical advantages of this Alavés formation include the ability to press high in coordinated waves. By having DENIS close to the forwards, the team can trigger a press quickly. Another strength is the capacity for wide overloads when HUGO or YOUSSEF push up to overlap the winger. This constant movement makes it difficult for the opposition to defend the wide areas.

This 4-3-3 formation relies on high intensity and rapid transitions to unsettle the opponent. It is best suited for games against teams that play a high defensive line and struggle to defend against quick vertical passes.