AZ Football Formation

Starting Lineup

JARI (DE BUSSER) · ELIJAH (DIJKSTRA) · LEWIS (SCHOUTEN) · RION (ICHIHARA) · MEES (DE WIT) · STIJE (RESINK) · JORDY (CLASIE) · AYOUB (OUFKIR) · RO-ZANGELO (DAAL) · JIZZ (HORNKAMP) · BENDEGÚZ (KOVÁCS)

AZ aims to dominate through a high press and heavy verticality using a 4-2-4. This formation is built to stretch the opposition and punish them on the transition by getting many bodies forward as quickly as possible. The lineup focuses on quick ball movement to catch the opponent out of position.

JARI stays between the posts to oversee the defensive unit. The team uses a flat back four consisting of MEES at left back and ELIJAH at right back. In the center, RION and LEWIS act as the main defenders. RION and LEWIS must hold the line and cover the space behind the full backs when they push high. MEES and ELIJAH act as attacking full backs to provide width, meaning the central defenders must be ready to step up and win the second ball if the press is bypassed.

The midfield functions as a double pivot to provide a layer of protection for the back four. STIJE and JORDY occupy the central spaces to shield the defense and recycle possession. STIJE acts as the carrier to drive forward with the ball, while JORDY works to intercept passes and pick up runners in front of the defense. This pairing is the engine that connects the defensive unit to the heavy attacking line, ensuring the ball moves from the back to the front quickly.

AZ uses four attackers to pin the opposition defense deep. RO-ZANGELO and AYOUB act as wide wingers who hug the touchline to stretch the defense wide. BENDEGÚZ and JIZZ operate as a central partnership, with JIZZ acting as a pressing centre-forward to lead the hunt from the front. This duo works to find the feet of the striker or make runs in behind the last defender. The attack relies on combinations between the wingers and the two central strikers to create chances through cutbacks or through balls.

One major advantage of this 4-2-4 is the ability to create wide overloads when MEES and ELIJAH join the attack. The team can also press high in coordinated waves because of the four players positioned in the final third. This high pressure can force a long ball from the opposition, allowing the defensive unit to engage and win the ball back quickly in the middle third.

This formation creates a high risk and high reward scenario for AZ. It is best suited for games where the team needs to break down a low block or overwhelm an opponent through sheer numbers in the attacking third.