Kobe Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Daiya Maekawa · Caetano (Brazil) · Thuler (Brazil) · Tetsushi Yamakawa (captain) · Mitsuki Saito · Yosuke Ideguchi · Klinsmahn (Brazil) · Jean Patric (Brazil) · Erik (Brazil) · Taisei Miyashiro · Yoshinori Muto

Vissel Kobe focuses on a heavy press and verticality through a 3-5-2. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and use quick transitions to punish the opposition. The team relies on a compact block that can squeeze the space between the lines when they do not have the ball.

Daiya Maekawa plays behind a back three to protect the goal. Tetsushi Yamakawa acts as the central defender to anchor the unit, while Caetano and Thuler operate as the wide centre-backs. Caetano and Thuler must be ready to cover the wide areas when the wing backs push forward. This defensive line aims to hold a high line to keep the team compact and ensure they can press from the front.

A three-man midfield provides the engine for the Kobe lineup. Mitsuki Saito acts as the single pivot to shield the defence and recycle possession. Yosuke Ideguchi and Klinsmahn operate as the two central midfielders, where they are tasked to drive forward with the ball and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Jean Patric and Erik occupy the wide midfield roles, acting as wing backs who provide width and can track back to help the defensive unit when needed.

The attack utilizes two forwards to pin the opposition back line. Taisei Miyashiro and Yoshinori Muto work as a partnership to stretch the defence. Miyashiro often looks to find space between the lines, while Muto uses his movement to make runs in behind. These two forwards press the opposition defenders to force a long ball, allowing the midfield to win the second ball. The team attacks in combinations, often using the wing backs to provide crosses from deep or late runs into the box.

One major advantage is the ability to press high in coordinated waves using the front three and the wide midfielders. Vissel Kobe also benefits from numerical superiority in the central areas when the wing backs tuck in. This creates a thick block in the middle of the pitch that makes it difficult for opponents to play through the lines.

This 3-5-2 formation creates a highly aggressive identity built on winning the ball and attacking with pace. It is best suited for games where the team can exploit a high defensive line or overwhelm a single pivot in midfield.