Real Madrid Football Formation

Starting Lineup

CURTOIS · REIJNDERS · VALVERDE · TRENT · ASENCIO · HUIJSEN · SALIBA · BELLINGHAM · NICO PAZ · MBAPPE · ENDRICK

Real Madrid operates with a vertical style of play using a 3-5-2. The team looks to win it back high up the pitch and break quickly through the middle. This formation is built to use speed and direct passing to exploit gaps in the opposition defence.

In goal, CURTOIS stays alert to sweep behind a high line. The back three features HUIJSEN and ASENCIO acting as wide centre-backs to cover the flanks, while SALIBA sits in the middle as a ball playing defender. SALIBA uses his height to win the header and intercepts passes to start the break. The defensive unit stays compact to deny the turn of attackers and holds a narrow defensive block when under pressure.

The midfield functions as a three-man central core with an attacking ten behind the strikers. REIJNDERS sits deep to connect the defensive and attacking lines while VALVERDE drives forward with the ball to break the line. BELLINGHAM plays as an attacking ten to arrive late into the box and press aggressively. On the flanks, TRENT acts as an attacking wing back on the right to whip it in, while NICO PAZ provides width on the left to spread wide.

The attack relies on a partnership of two forwards. MBAPPE cuts inside from the left to find space in the channels, often looking to hit in behind on the transition. ENDRICK plays as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and find the feet of the striker. They use overlaps from TRENT to create chances and look to deliver early crosses into the box for the duo to attack the near post.

This Real Madrid lineup offers great speed of transition when they win the second ball. The team creates wide overloads because TRENT and NICO PAZ push high up the pitch to support the attack and stretch the defence. There is also numerical superiority in the middle because BELLINGHAM can drop deep to help the pivot and squeeze the space.

This 3-5-2 is a direct and aggressive formation meant to overwhelm opponents. It is best suited for games against teams that play a high line and leave space behind their defenders.