SK Sturm Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Lavalee · Gazibegovic · Aiwu · Wüthrich · Biereth · Gorenc Stankovic · Horvat · Kiteishvili · Sarkaria · Bøving · Scherpen

Seeking to play with high intensity and rapid transitions, SK Sturm operates in a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup focuses on a strong defensive base while looking to hit teams on the break. The intention is to use the width of the pitch to stretch the opposition and win the ball back high up the pitch.

Scherpen acts as the last line of defense in goal. The back line forms a five man unit with Gorenc Stankovic acting as the central man to win the header and clear the lines. Aiwu plays as the left centre back to cover the space behind the left wing back, while Wüthrich holds the right side of the central trio. Lavalee operates as an attacking wing back on the left to provide width, while Gazibegovic performs a similar role on the right flank. This unit can shift into a narrow defensive block or a flat back five depending on where the ball sits.

The midfield works as a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. Horvat and Kiteishvili occupy the central spaces to connect the defense and the attack. Kiteishvili works to carry the ball forward, while Horvat is tasked to shield the defense and pick up runners. These two midfielders must press aggressively to win the ball high or drop back to help the back five. They are responsible for recycling possession and finding the feet of the attackers to progress through the thirds.

In the final third, SK Sturm employs three attackers to pin the last defender. Biereth acts as the central striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Bøving plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside, while Sarkaria provides width from the right. The wing backs, Lavalee and Gazibegovic, overlap the winger to create wide overloads. This formation allows for quick combinations to hit teams in behind on the transition.

A major strength of Sturm Graz is the ability to create wide overloads from the overlapping wing backs. By using Lavalee and Gazibegovic, the team can spread wide and force the opposition to stretch the defence. Another advantage is the compactness when defending in a mid-block. This makes it hard for opponents to play through the lines, forcing them to cross into the central trio of Gorenc Stankovic, Aiwu, and Wüthrich.

The 5-2-3 formation provides a solid base for a team that prefers to counter at pace. It is best suited for matches against dominant sides where sitting deep and using width is key.