Maccabi Tel-Aviv Football Formation
Starting Lineup
Levin · Shelach · Cohen · Yeini · Bello · M. Nimni · Spiegel · A. Nimni · Talbi · Zahavi · GlazerMaccabi Tel-Aviv plays with a high press and an aggressive intent to win the ball back high up the pitch in a 4-3-3. This formation is built to stretch the defence and create constant pressure on the opposition through quick verticality. The team looks to dominate the ball and use wide areas to create scoring chances while keeping a high line to squeeze the space.
Levin stays between the posts to organize the back line. The defensive unit works as a flat back four with Yeini and Bello operating as wide full backs. Yeini provides width by pushing up to overlap the winger, while Bello must track back to cover the flank. In the center, Shelach and Cohen work together to defend zonally, with Shelach often acting as a ball playing defender to start attacks. The unit aims to hold a high line to keep the team compact when defending.
The midfield works through a three-man midfield with a single pivot. M. Nimni sits in front of the defence to shield the back four and win the second ball. Spiegel acts as the engine to carry the ball forward and connect the lines, while A. Nimni operates in the half-spaces to drive forward and arrive late into the box. This group works to press in a mid-block when the ball is lost, ensuring the opposition cannot easily play through the lines.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv uses three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. Glazer acts as a pressing centre-forward to lead the hunt from the front. On the wings, Zahavi and Talbi act as inverted wingers who cut inside to find goalscoring positions. This movement creates space for Yeini and Bello to push forward. The forwards combine in tight spaces to play through the lines, often looking to hit in behind on the transition after winning the ball high.
This formation offers the advantage of wide overloads when the full backs join the attack. The presence of A. Nimni allows the team to create numerical superiority in the final third. By using inverted wingers, Maccabi Tel-Aviv can also isolate wide players in one on one situations once the opposition defence shifts to cover the middle.
The 4-3-3 formation allows for a relentless high press and rapid attacking transitions. This lineup is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.