Bologna Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Gk (병배) · Cb (이상엽) · Cb (구본정) · Rb (김동현) · Lb (권성범) · Dm (재근) · Cm (기선) · Cm (승기) · Lw (현우) · Rw (시환) · St (상용)

Bologna aims to play a direct and vertical style of football through a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup relies on winning the ball and moving quickly to exploit the spaces left behind an opposition defense. The primary goal is to use the width of the pitch to stretch the opponent while maintaining a strong core to prevent being overrun in central areas.

In goal, the Gk stays alert to sweep behind the defensive line. The defensive unit functions as a back five, featuring a central CB who sits deep to anchor the line. To his sides, the LCB and RCB provide coverage and are ready to step up to intercept passes. The LWB and RWB act as attacking wing backs, pushing high to provide width and support the flanks, while they must track back quickly to defend against wide counters. This unit works together to maintain a compact block when defending deep.

The midfield operates as a double pivot, consisting of the LCM and RCM. These two players are responsible for shielding the back five and winning the second ball in the middle of the pitch. One midfielder often acts as a carrier to drive the ball forward, while the other seeks to connect the defensive unit with the attackers. They must stay disciplined to avoid leaving gaps, often dropping into the spaces between the lines to recycle possession or press in a mid-block to force a long ball from the opposition.

Up front, the attack uses three players to pin the last defender. The ST acts as the focal point, working to hold up the ball and link play with the midfield. On the flanks, the LW and RW act as wide wingers who look to isolate defenders one on one. They can either hug the touchline to spread the defense or cut inside to create chances for the ST. This front three will press from the front to disrupt the opposition buildup and create opportunities for quick transitions.

Bologna benefits from significant tactical advantages with this setup. The wing backs allow for wide overloads when they join the LW and RW, creating numerical superiority on the flanks. Additionally, the three central defenders provide great compactness when defending a low block, making it difficult for opponents to find space in the box. The ability to transition from a deep defensive posture to a rapid counter attack at pace makes the team very dangerous.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a solid base for teams that want to defend deep and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against teams that dominate possession but leave space behind their high defensive line.