Olympiacos Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Tzolakis (Paschalakis) · Pirola (Abbey) · Retsos (Biancone) · Rodinei (Costinha) · Ortega (Apostolopoulos) · Hezze (Stamenic) · Chiquinho (García) · Podence (Masouras) · El Kaabi (Kostoulas) · Martins (?) · Biel (Mouzakitis)

Olympiacos aims to play a direct and aggressive game using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to defend with plenty of cover while using quick transitions to catch the opposition out of position. The team looks to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately push forward to exploit space in the final third. By maintaining a compact block when out of possession, the team is ready to spring the offside trap or break quickly once they regain control.

Tzolakis guards the goal for Olympiacos. The defensive unit sits in a back five to ensure maximum protection. Hezze acts as the central figure in the middle of the three, providing stability and winning headers while Pirola and Retsos cover the spaces to his left and right. Ortega and Rodinei operate as attacking wing backs, providing width and looking to get to the byline when the team has the ball. They must track back quickly to form a narrow defensive block when the opposition attacks, ensuring they do not leave the central defenders exposed.

A double pivot forms the engine room of the lineup. Biel and Chiquinho sit in the center to shield the back five and win the second ball. Chiquinho works to connect the defense and attack by carrying the ball forward, while Biel looks to recycle possession and protect the middle. They must work together to compress the midfield and prevent the opposition from playing through the lines or finding the feet of the striker. This allows the team to transition from a mid block to attack very efficiently.

The attack features three players working in close combinations. El Kaabi acts as the focal point, finding ways to link up play between the lines and hold up the ball for his teammates. Podence plays as an inverted winger on the left, looking to cut inside and create chances, while Martins stretches the play on the right. This formation allows the forwards to press the opposition back line from the front, creating chances to hit in behind on the transition or deliver early crosses to the far post.

This formation offers great wide overloads because Rodinei and Ortega can push high to support the wingers. The team also benefits from compactness when defending, as the back five and the double pivot make it very difficult for the opposition to find space between the lines. Additionally, the speed of transition allows the front three to isolate wide players in one on one situations immediately after winning the ball back high up the pitch.

The 5-2-3 lineup provides a balance of defensive security and rapid attacking intent. It is a formation best suited for facing teams that push high and leave space behind their defense.