Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1 Ospina (13 De Gea)
6 Smalling (2 Bartra)
17 Benatia (26 Kalas)
24 Garay (C) (44 Manolas)
3 Juan (27 Alaba)
28 Fernando (8 Matic)
5 Sergi Roberto (20 Xhaka)
4 Nainggolan (56 Bigas Rigo)
15 Pjanic (vc) (59 Kocer)
9 Gomis (11 Adebayor)
99 Dzeko (30 Castaignos)

Roma looks to control the match through defensive solidity and quick transitions in a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup is built to sit in a compact mid-block before hitting the opposition with direct verticality. The team aims to stay hard to beat while looking for moments to exploit the space behind the opposition defense.

Ospina guards the goal as the team sits in a narrow defensive block. The back line consists of a central trio where Garay (C) acts as the leader to organize the unit. Garay (C) is dominant in the air and directs the defensive line. Benatia and Fernando sit alongside him to provide coverage and strength in the middle. Juan operates as a left wing back to provide width and track back when needed. Smalling plays as the right wing back to help defend the flank and push up the pitch. The unit works together to squeeze the space between the lines and protect the central area.

The midfield functions as a three-man midfield with a carrier and a creative tip. Pjanic operates in the hole as an attacking ten to connect the lines and play through the lines with his passing range. Nainggolan acts as the engine in the left channel to press aggressively and win the second ball. Sergi Roberto occupies the right central role to help recycle possession and link the defense to the attack. This trio works to compress the midfield and prevent the opposition from playing through the center.

Roma uses two forwards in a partnership to lead the attack. Dzeko plays as the left striker to hold up the ball and win headers. Gomis plays as the right striker to hunt for space and run in behind. The wing backs, Juan and Smalling, provide the necessary width to stretch the defence. When attacking, the team looks to use the combination of the two strikers and the late runs from the midfield. They focus on quick transitions to exploit the opposition when they are caught out of position.

This formation offers several tactical advantages. The back five provides extreme compactness when defending in a low block. Roma can also create wide overloads when Juan and Smalling push high up the pitch. The presence of Pjanic allows the team to find the feet of the striker quickly after winning the ball.

The 5-3-2 formation gives Roma a platform to be defensively solid and dangerous on the break. It is best suited for games against heavy possession sides where the team needs to deny space in the middle.