PSG Football Formation
June 16, 2024
Starting Lineup
Donnarumma · Marquinhos · Kante* · Dembele · Fabian · Vitinha · Asensio · Hakimi · Mendes · Skriniar · Osihmen*PSG prefers a direct style that uses a 5-2-3 formation to transition quickly. The team looks to play with directness, aiming to catch the opposition before they can settle into their own rhythm.
Donnarumma keeps things tidy between the posts. Within the defensive unit, a back five provides a solid base. Kante sits in the center to win the second ball and cover the space behind the other defenders. Marquinhos plays as a ball playing center back on the right, while Skriniar works to hold the line on the left. Hakimi acts as an attacking wing back to provide width on the right, and Mendes pushes up as a left wing back to support the attack. Defending zonally helps the team maintain compactness.
The midfield consists of a two man unit tasked with linking the back line to the attackers. Vitinha and Fabian work to control the middle of the pitch. To drive the play, Vitinha moves to carry the ball forward into the half spaces, while Fabian works to recycle possession and shield the defense. They must press aggressively to win it back high up the pitch. This pairing helps the team maintain a mid block when they do not have the ball.
Up front, PSG uses three attackers to stretch the defense. Osihmen acts as a pressing center forward to pin the last defender and win headers in the box. Dembele plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and create danger, while Asensio stays wide on the right. The team looks to hit in behind on the transition, using the width provided by the wingers to spread the play. This movement allows the forwards to combine in tight spaces or exploit gaps in the opposition line.
Several tactical advantages exist in this formation, such as the ability to create wide overloads when the wing backs push up into the final third. It also provides high levels of compactness when defending deep in their own half. The speed of transition remains a key strength, allowing the team to break quickly once the ball is won.
This 5-2-3 formation is built for teams that want to exploit space through direct play. It works best against opponents that play with a high line and leave gaps in the back.