UEFA Euro U19 Final 2024: How Ball-Playing Central Defenders Enhanced Spain’s Resistance To The French Press – Tactical Analysis

Lineups & Formations

Spain used the main 4-2-3-1 formation on paper, which changed to 4-4-2 while defending.

GK: Raúl Jiménez Latorre, RB:Cristian David, RCB: Simo Keddari, LCB: Yarek Gasiorowski: LB: Julio Díaz del Romo, RCM: José María Andrés Baixauli, LCM: Gerard Hernández, RW: Dani Rodríguez, AM:Rayane Belaid, LW: David Mella Boullón, CF: Iker Bravo.

On paper, France depended on a 4-2-3-1 formation: GK: Justin Bengui João, RB: Saël Kumbedi, RCB: Jérémy Jacquet, LCB: Yoni Gomis: LB: Aboubaka Soumahoro, RCM: Mayssam Benama, LCM: Valentin Atangana, RW: Dehmaine Tabibou Assoumani, AM: Jean-Mattéo Bahoya, LW: Saïmon Bouabré, CF: Eli Junior Kroupi.

Spain In Possession Vs France Out Of Possession

Spain usually had the ball in the progression phase due to Frances mid or low press, so we will start with Spains progression and final third against Frances mid and low block.

The photo below shows Spains 4-2-3-1 formation, with the two wingers stretching the width.

On the other hand, Frances scheme is 4-3-3, with three midfielders marking the three Spanish midfielders tracking them everywhere.

This means that only one striker should press two centre-backs, so he starts in a middle position and then runs in a curved way to press the ball holder, cutting the passing lane to the other to prevent shifting the ball to the other side, as shown below.

Ultimately, they want to force S