Estudiantes (LP) Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1- G. Rulli*
2- J. Foyth*
4- S. Núñez
5- M. Rojo
40- E. Mancuso
30- J. Rodríguez*
22- A. Castro
17- T. Burgos
32- J. Correa
9- G. Carrillo
10- T. Palacios

Estudiantes (LP) looks to control games through a high press and verticality in a 3-4-3. The lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and move forward through the thirds with pace. This formation is built to use wide players to stretch the defence and create chances in central areas.

Guillermo Rulli stays between the posts to command the area. The back three consists of Marcos Rojo, Santiago Núñez, and Juan Foyth. Rojo plays as the left centre-back and provides leadership with his passing range and experience. Núñez acts as the central defender to hold the line and win the second ball. Juan Foyth operates as the right centre-back to cover the space and win headers. The unit works to stay compact and pushes up to support the midfield.

The midfield functions as a group of four to cover the pitch. Santiago Rodríguez, the captain, sits in the left central midfield role to connect the defence and attack and recycle possession. Alejandro Castro plays on the right side of the midfield to drive forward with the ball. The wide midfielders, Tomás Burgos and Emiliano Mancuso, provide the width. Burgos and Mancuso are tasked to track back and protect the wide areas while also being ready to push into the final third to deliver crosses.

The attack uses three players to pin the last defender. Gabriel Carrillo plays as the lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. On the wings, Juan Correa and Thiago Palacios act as wide attackers to cut inside and create overloads. Correa and Palacios look to isolate one on one situations against full backs. The forwards work together to press from the front and force a long ball from the opposition.

Estudiantes (LP) gains an advantage through the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The formation allows for wide overloads when Burgos and Mancuso overlap the wingers. Using three central defenders helps the team maintain compactness when defending in a mid-block. This setup also creates speed of transition when the team wins the ball and looks to hit in behind.

This 3-4-3 formation provides a heavy presence in both wide and central zones. It is best suited for games where the team needs to squeeze the space and win the ball back quickly.