SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Otamendi · António S. · Carreras · Tomás A. · Dahl · Aursnes · Kökcü · Bruma · Aktürkoglu · Pavlidis · Samuel S.

SL Benfica plays with a high press and a 3-4-3 formation. The team aims to win it back high up the pitch and push the opposition into making mistakes. This lineup is designed to squeeze the space in the middle and use wide players to stretch the defence throughout the match.

Samuel S. guards the goal and directs the back line. The defence works in a back three consisting of Carreras, Otamendi, and António S. Otamendi is dominant in the air and works to cover the central area. Carreras and António S. act as wide centre-backs who can shift wide to cover the flanks. They defend zonally and work to hold a compact block when the opposition carries the ball forward.

In the middle, Aursnes and Kökcü act as a double pivot to control the tempo. Kökcü uses his passing range to progress through the thirds and break the line, while Aursnes works to deny the pivot. Tomás A. and Dahl act as wide midfielders to provide width and support the attack. They help to recycle possession and can overlap the wingers to create overloads. This allows the team to transition and press in a mid-block or push high very quickly.

Leading the attack, Pavlidis works as a lone striker and a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender. Bruma and Aktürkoglu provide the width and threat in the final third. Bruma stays wide to stretch the defence, while Aktürkoglu is an inverted winger who likes to cut inside and find space. Pavlidis works to hold up the ball and lay it off to the midfielders. The forwards look to combine in tight spaces and use runs in behind to break quickly.

A primary strength of this lineup is the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of three attackers and two wide midfielders makes it easy to create wide overloads. Additionally, the strength of Otamendi and the passing range of Kökcü allow SL Benfica to control the game through the middle and switch play to the wings.

This 3-4-3 formation is built for high intensity and attacking pressure. It is best suited for facing teams that play out from the back and leave space behind their midfield in transition.