PSG Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Marquinhos · L. Hernandez · Pacho · Hakimi · Mendes · Ruiz · Vitinha · G. Ramos · Kvaratskhelia · Dembélé · Donnarumma

PSG aims to play with high intensity through a high press and verticality. This team relies on a 3-4-3 formation to control the middle and attack the flanks with speed. They want to win the ball back high up the pitch and move quickly toward the goal to catch the opposition out of position.

Donnarumma stays between the posts to protect the goal. A back three forms the foundation of the defense. Marquinhos acts as a ball playing defender with great aerial strength and a high level of reading of the game. Pacho and L. Hernandez form the rest of the line to cover the wide spaces and step up to squeeze the space. L. Hernandez holds the line while Pacho and Marquinhos can shift to cover the wings. This unit stays compact to deny the turn to opposition strikers.

The midfield consists of a four man lineup that connects the defense to the attack. Ruiz and Vitinha occupy the central roles to control the tempo. Vitinha uses his passing range to recycle possession and find players between the lines. Ruiz works to press and shield the defense. Mendes and Hakimi play wide to provide width. Hakimi functions as an attacking wing back who loves to overlap the winger and carry the ball forward. Mendes pushes up to support the attack while staying ready to track back when the team loses the ball.

The attack features three forwards working in close combinations. G. Ramos plays as a lone striker to find the feet of the teammates and hold up the ball. Dembélé operates as an inverted winger on the right and uses his dribbling to cut inside and create chances. Kvaratskhelia stays wide on the left to stretch the defense. These attackers press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. They look to hit in behind on the transition and use the pace of the wide players to break the line and deliver crosses.

One big strength for PSG is the ability to create wide overloads from overlapping players like Hakimi and Mendes. This creates many chances to whip it in toward the goal. The team also shows great speed of transition when they win the ball back high up the pitch. Another advantage is the ability to win the second ball in the middle of the park.

This 3-4-3 formation focuses on high intensity and aggressive attacking play. It is a formation that works best against teams that play a high line or struggle to deal with wide overloads.