Argentina National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Juanma Diz (10 (C)) · Villalba (8) · Raimondo (7) · Perez (14) · Cuso (5) · Porcel (24) · Gordi (13) · Eslinger (26) · Masciarelli (6) · Acuña (4) · Basura (23)

Argentina operates with a heavy emphasis on defensive solidity and quick transitions using a 5-2-3. This formation is built to absorb pressure and hit the opposition with verticality when they lose the ball. The lineup relies on a compact defensive block to frustrate opponents before unleashing wide attackers and a central striker.

Basura stays between the posts to command the area. The defensive unit consists of a back five featuring Porcel and Eslinger as the central pillars, while Gordi operates as the left centre-back. Acuña acts as a left wing-back to provide width, while Masciarelli plays as a right wing-back to stretch the pitch. Porcel and Eslinger focus on defending zonally and winning the second ball, while Gordi covers space when the wing-backs push forward. The whole unit works to squeeze the space between the lines and maintain a disciplined defensive block.

The midfield functions as a double pivot tasked with controlling the center of the pitch. Perez and Cuso sit in front of the back five to shield the defense and recycle possession. Perez looks to drive forward with the ball to link the defensive and attacking lines, while Cuso works to intercept passes and press in a mid-block. This two-man midfield must be disciplined to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle, often forcing the play wide.

In the final third, Argentina uses three attackers to pin the opposition back line. Villalba acts as a lone striker to hold up the ball and win headers, while Raimondo and Juanma Diz operate as wide attackers. Raimondo tends to cut inside to create goalscoring chances, whereas Juanma Diz looks to get to the byline and deliver crosses. The front three press from the front to force a long ball and create opportunities for counter at pace. This setup creates many runs in behind and allows for quick combinations in transition.

This formation offers several tactical advantages for Argentina. The back five creates great compactness when defending, making it hard for opponents to find gaps. The presence of Acuña and Masciarelli allows for wide overloads from overlapping wing-backs when the team wins the ball back high up the pitch. Additionally, the trio of Raimondo, Juanma Diz, and Villalba can quickly isolate wide players in one on one situations during a break.

Argentina uses this 5-2-3 to stay compact and strike with speed. This formation is best suited for matches against teams that control possession and require a disciplined low block to deny space.