Colombia Football Formation

Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Carbonero is only player as young as James that slows the pace of match on possession, defends and can go forward and score and assist.

Carbonero is right footed more defensive James. Carbonero has more of a defensive job and plays more centrally. James has freedom in this formation. Starts out wide and very high but can roam inside.

Caudrado starts deeper and wider than James. He is true winger.

Armero and Zuniga will be wing backs. With Zuniga more of a full back and Armero more wingback/left mid/winger as Balanta will cover his back.

Carbonero covered Arias well in Japan game. He must do the same with Zuniga. Carbonero main job is to slow possession which allows Armero and James to go from defending to attacking. Buys James time to get open and is capable and naturally willing to find James. Quintero and Gaurin have proven to try to force long passes and bypass play makers in front of them.

Caudrado will be left winger defending wider than carbonero and pressing high up in pitch. At times will look like a right forward.

This formation can switch 3 5 2 with either James or Caudrado supporting Falcao

Or can look like a 4 3 3 when Mejia drops back and Armero and Zuniga attack forcing James and Carbonero central and either one to meet them in combination play to advance possession up field with opposite wingback that is off ball almost acting as winger or wide mid in that moment.

Arias is Armero or Zuniga under study.

Irbarbo is Armero understudy but then James isn't as free to roam to right side of field and most cover Irbaro charges. Advantage is Irbarbo can be more of a striker. Same applies for Jackson and Ramos
Bacca, Jackson and Ramos will play as second striker with freedom to play either side and push James more into a attacking kid and less of a media punta or winger or tresquartista.

Gaurin chief understudy role is for Cuadrado.

Aguilar and play CM and allow Carbonero out side of simply replace.

Quintero is only in when defending won't be needed.