Albania National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Albania aims to play a direct and vertical style of football using a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup relies on a strong central presence to control the middle of the pitch and create chances through central combinations. The team focuses on winning the second ball and moving the play quickly from the back to the front line.

AI operates between the posts to guard the goal. The back three consists of BIBIGO as the left centre-back, Haechan in the middle, and Raju as the right centre-back. BIBIGO and Raju act as wide centre-backs to cover the channels, while Haechan holds the line in the center to win headers. This defensive unit works as a narrow defensive block to squeeze the space and protect the middle.

The midfield is a busy area consisting of a double pivot and two advanced midfielders with an attacking ten. Loue and IThink sit in front of the back three to shield the defence and intercept passes. Shanchu and Saka operate as the central midfielders, with Saka often looking to carry the ball forward and Shanchu helping to recycle possession. KaKa plays as the attacking ten behind the strikers, looking to play through the lines and connect the midfield to the attack.

In the final third, Albania uses two forwards in a partnership. Parkavi and Benzema lead the line, with Benzema often looking to hold up the ball to bring others into play. They press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. The formation creates movement through runs in behind and link-up play between the lines, especially with KaKa finding pockets of space to slide passes to the strikers.

This 3-5-2 formation offers Albania significant numerical superiority in midfield. By having five players in the center, they can often overwhelm opponents who play with a standard three man midfield. The team also benefits from compactness when defending, making it very hard for opponents to find gaps through the center.

Albania uses this formation to dominate the central areas of the pitch. It is best suited for games against teams that play with wide wingers where the wing backs can drop back to create a back five.