Újpest Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Seeking to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike on the transition, Újpest operates with a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup focuses on a high press to disrupt the opposition and uses wide channels to stretch the defence. The team is built to play a direct game that relies on physical presence and rapid movements to punish errors.

Piscitelli guards the goal while a back five maintains a solid defensive block. Fiola leads the central line as a dominant presence in the air, supported by Nunes on the right and Duarte on the left. The wing backs, Bese and Gergényi, are tasked with providing width and tracking back to defend the flanks. This defensive unit can shift into a back three when attacking, allowing the wide defenders to push high.

The midfield consists of a double pivot with Rasak and Ljujic working to control the middle. Rasak works to win the second ball and shields the defence, while Ljujic acts as a carrier to drive forward with the ball. These two connect the defensive line to the front three, making sure to recycle possession when the initial press fails. They must stay compact to prevent the opposition from playing through the lines.

Újpest uses three attackers to pin the last defender and create chaos in the final third. Brodic acts as a target man to hold up the ball, providing a focal point for long passes. Ganea and Horváth operate as wide attackers, with Ganea looking to cut inside and Horváth looking to get to the byline. This trio presses from the front to force a long ball and create opportunities for runs in behind.

One major advantage for Újpest is the ability to create wide overloads from the attacking wing backs, Bese and Gergényi, who join the attackers. The formation also offers great compactness when defending, making it very hard for opponents to find space between the lines. The speed of transition allows the team to move from a defensive block to an attacking shape in seconds.

This 5-2-3 lineup relies on defensive solidity and rapid verticality to exploit spaces. It is a formation best suited for facing teams that play with high lines or struggle to play out from the back.