Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Roma relies on a strong defensive foundation and quick vertical transitions, utilizing a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup aims to control the middle of the pitch while remaining compact when the opposition has the ball. By sitting in a mid-block, the team seeks to win the ball back and immediately use the pace of their attackers to catch the opponent off guard.

Svilar keeps goal and organizes the defensive unit from the back. The defensive line functions as a back five with Paredes acting as the central defender to command the area. Beside him, Saud and Angeliño operate as wide centre-backs to provide coverage. Mancini and Ndicka act as attacking wing backs, tasked to push high up the pitch to provide width. Mancini can carry the ball forward into the channels, while Ndicka looks to overlap the midfield. The unit works to maintain a narrow block to deny space through the middle.

The midfield is built around a three-man midfield with a carrier and a creative link. Kone provides the energy to press in a mid-block and shield the defence. Le Fee acts as the engine, driving forward with the ball to connect the back line to the attack. Soulé operates as an attacking ten behind the strikers, looking to find pockets of space between the lines. This group works to squeeze the space in the center and force the opposition to play wide.

Roma attacks with two forwards in a partnership to stretch the defence. Dovbyk acts as a target man, using his physical presence to hold up the ball and win headers. Dybala plays as a second striker in the hole, often dropping deeper to receive on the half-turn and create chances. The wing backs, Mancini and Ndicka, provide the necessary width to ensure the team does not become too narrow. The goal is to create runs in behind or use the link-up play between Dybala and Dovbyk to split the defence.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when Mancini and Ndicka push forward. The team also gains numerical superiority in the middle when Soulé drifts into the half-spaces. This allows Roma to maintain compactness when defending while staying ready to counter at pace.

This 5-3-2 formation offers a solid platform for a team looking to be hard to beat. It is best suited for matches against ball dominant opponents where sitting deep and hitting on the transition is required.