Iran National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

سید حسین حسینی · رامین رضاییان · میلاد زکی پور · رافائل سیلوا · ایمان سلیمی · روزبه چشمی · علی کریمی · آرش رضاوند · جلال الدین ماشاریپوف · مهرداد محمدی · گوستاوو بلانکو

Iran focuses on a solid defensive base and quick transitions, operating within a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup aims to sit deep when out of possession and use the width of the pitch to launch attacks once the ball is recovered. The team looks to maintain a compact block to deny space between the lines, relying on the strength of the central unit to absorb pressure before looking to hit teams in behind.

Seyyed Hossein Hosseini guards the goal for Iran, acting as the last line of defense. The back line consists of a central trio featuring Roozbeh Cheshmi, who acts as the anchor to clear the lines, flanked by Rafael Silva and Iman Salimi. To provide width, Ramin Rezaeian and Milad Zakipour operate as attacking wing backs. Rezaeian is tasked to push high and deliver crosses, while Zakipour covers the defensive flank and tracks back to prevent overlaps. The central defenders defend zonally to maintain a narrow defensive block when the opposition attacks.

The midfield functions as a three man midfield with a carrier and an attacking ten behind the striker. Ali Karimi and Arash Rezavand occupy the central roles, tasked to win the second ball and shield the defense. Karimi works to connect the defensive and attacking lines by moving the ball from deep. Jaloliddin Masharipov plays in the hole as an attacking midfielder, looking to find the feet of the strikers or arrive late into the box. This trio works to compress the midfield and prevent the opponent from playing through the lines.

In the attacking phase, Iran employs two forwards in a partnership consisting of Gustavo Blanco and Mehrdad Mohammadi. They operate as a strike duo where one can hold up the ball to allow the midfield to move forward. Blanco and Mohammadi work to press the opposition back line to force a long ball. The wing backs, Ramin Rezaeian and Milad Zakipour, provide the necessary width to stretch the defence. This allows the attackers to combine in tight spaces or exploit the space created when the wide players pull wide.

The main strengths of this formation are the defensive compactness and the ability to create wide overloads. By using attacking wing backs, the team can overwhelm the opposition flanks when they transition into attack. Additionally, the central block with Cheshmi, Silva, and Salimi provides a strong presence to win headers and intercept passes. This setup makes it difficult for opponents to find gaps in the central zone.

The Iranian lineup is built to absorb heavy pressure and strike with speed on the break. This 5-3-2 formation is best suited for games against teams that dominate possession and leave space behind their defensive line.