Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

N'Dicka / Hermoso · Mancini / Hummels (??) · Anjelino / Dahl · Celik / Abdoulhamid · Paredes / Cristante · Pellegrini / Baldanzi · Kone / Le Fee · Soule / SES / Zale · Dybala / Saelemakers · Dovbyk / Shamu · Svilar / Ryan

Roma look to win the ball back high up the pitch using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup focuses on a heavy press from the front and quick transitions to catch the opposition off guard. By utilizing a back five, the team maintains a compact defensive block while looking to exploit wide areas during the attack.

Ryan starts between the posts to organize the defensive line. The back five consists of Paredes, Mancini, and N'Dicka, with Celik acting as the right wing back and Anjelino operating as the left wing back. Mancini and N'Dicka provide strength in the middle, while Paredes can step into midfield to help play out from the back. Celik and Anjelino provide the necessary width, with Celik able to push high to support the right side. The unit aims to hold a high line to squeeze the space and win it back quickly if the initial press fails.

In the center of the pitch, Roma utilizes a two-man midfield. Pellegrini operates on the left of this pair, while Kone occupies the right side. Pellegrini acts as the primary creator, looking to play through the lines with his passing range, while Kone provides the engine to drive the ball forward and cover ground. This pair must work hard to protect the space in front of the three center backs and ensure they do not get bypassed in central areas. They connect the defense to the front three by recycling possession and shifting play to the flanks.

The attacking unit features three players across the front. Soule plays on the left wing, while Dybala occupies the right side. Dovbyk acts as the lone striker, providing a target man presence to hold up the ball and win headers. Soule and Dybala act as inverted wingers who look to cut inside to create chances, which allows the wing backs, Anjelino and Celik, to overlap and provide crosses. Dovbyk works to pin the last defender, creating space for Dybala to operate in the pockets between the lines.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, particularly in the ability to press high in coordinated waves. With three attackers and two wing backs, Roma can create wide overloads to stretch the defence. The back five also provides great compactness when defending, making it difficult for opponents to find space in the box. The speed of transition from a mid-block to an attacking stance allows the team to hit in behind on the transition effectively.

The 5-2-3 lineup is built to dominate through high pressing and rapid wide attacks. This setup is best suited for facing teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.