Athlético Paranaense Football Formation

Starting Lineup

SANTOS · GILBERTO · CARLOS (TERÁN) · LÉO (PELÉ) · LÉO (DERIK) · FELIPINHO · JOÃO (CRUZ) · BRUNO (ZAPELLI) · KERWIN (VARGAS) · LEOZINHO · RENAN (PEIXOTO)

Athlético Paranaense prioritizes a high press and verticality through a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opposition can organize. The team uses a high line to squeeze the space and force turnovers in the final third, making it a very aggressive unit when playing in their own half.

SANTOS operates between the posts to oversee the defensive unit. The back four remains a flat line, with GILBERTO acting as a right back who looks to overlap the winger. On the left, LÉO provides stability, while the central pairing of CARLOS and LÉO maintains a high line to compress the pitch. CARLOS often steps into midfield to disrupt play, whereas LÉO focuses on covering the space behind when the team pushes forward. The whole unit must hold the line to avoid being caught by long balls.

The midfield functions as a three-man midfield with a carrier and an attacking presence. JOÃO and FELIPINHO work to control the center, with one often dropping deeper to connect the defense to the attack while the other drives forward with the ball. BRUNO plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, looking to find space between the lines and arrive late into the box. This trio works to win the second ball and ensure the team can recycle possession when the initial press is bypassed.

Athlético Paranaense attacks with three attackers across the front. KERWIN and LEOZINHO act as wide wingers who stay wide to stretch the defense, often looking to cut inside to create shooting lanes. RENAN leads the line as a pressing centre-forward, working to pin the last defender and disrupt the opposition build up. The forwards aim to move in combinations, using quick passing to split the defense with a through ball or finding the feet of the striker to set up runs in behind.

This formation provides clear tactical advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By having BRUNO push high, the team can trigger a press that catches opponents off guard. Additionally, the wide positioning of KERWIN and LEOZINHO creates space in the middle for JOÃO and FELIPINHO to carry the ball forward, often leading to numerical superiority in the half-spaces.

Athlético Paranaense uses this 4-3-3 to dominate games through aggressive ball recovery and rapid transitions. This lineup is best suited for facing teams that try to play out from the back under pressure.