Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Svilar · N'Dicka · Angelino · Hermoso · Baldanzi · Dybala · Parades · Kone · El Sha (/Angelino) · Soule · Dovbyk

Roma plays a game focused on defensive solidity and quick transitions. This 5-4-1 formation is built to sit in a mid-block and wait for the opposition to push forward. The team seeks to keep the distance between lines short to deny space in the center.

Svilar stays between the posts to organize the back five. The defensive unit operates with a back three made of N'Dicka, Parades, and Kone. Hermoso acts as the right wing back to provide width, while Angelino plays as the left wing back to push higher. N'Dicka and Kone act as the primary covers to pick up runners, while Parades helps to win the second ball. The whole unit works to stay narrow and force the opposition wide.

The midfield functions as a four-man line to cover the width of the pitch. Soule plays on the right and El Sha on the left to press in pairs and track back when the ball is lost. In the center, Dybala and Baldanzi occupy the half-spaces to connect the defense to the attack. Dybala uses his passing range to find teammates, while Baldanzi looks to arrive late into the box. They work to squeeze the space and deny the turn to the opponent.

Dovbyk acts as a lone target man up top to hold up the ball and win headers. He works to pin the last defender to create room for the others. Soule and El Sha look to pull wide and whip it in, or they can cut inside to create overloads. Dybala and Baldanzi play just behind Dovbyk to provide link-up play and find pockets of space. The team looks to hit in behind on the transition once they win the ball.

AS Roma finds strength in their compactness when defending. The narrow formation makes it very hard for teams to play through the middle. Another advantage is the speed of transition when players like Angelino carry the ball forward into open space. This formation allows the team to stay solid while remaining dangerous on the counter.

This 5-4-1 formation is a resilient lineup designed to absorb pressure and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against high possession teams that leave space behind their defensive line.