Al-Hilal (KSA) Football Formation

Starting Lineup

37- Y. Bono
3- K. Koulibaly
10- Bruno F.*
9- A. Mitrovic
11- M. Leonardo
8- R. Neves
22- M. Savic
5- Al-Bulayhi
2- J. Timber*
6- R. Lodi
77- Malcom

Al-Hilal relies on a high press and quick transitions using a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to control the center of the pitch and use the width provided by energetic wingbacks. By controlling the middle, the team aims to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately look for runs in behind the opposition defense.

Yassine Bono operates between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit uses a back three consisting of Kalidou Koulibaly, Al-Bulayhi, and Joao Timber. Koulibaly acts as a dominant presence in the air and a leader in the center, while Al-Bulayhi provides cover. Timber plays as a wide centre-back to help build out from the back and cover the space when the wingbacks push forward. The unit stays compact to deny space between the lines.

In the middle of the park, Al-Hilal utilizes a three-man midfield to dominate play. Ruben Neves acts as the deep lying playmaker, sitting in front of the defense to recycle possession and switch play. Beside him, Milinkovic-Savic and Bruno Fernandes work to connect the defensive and attacking lines. Milinkovic-Savic is known for his late runs into the box and aerial strength, while Fernandes looks to play through the lines and create chances from the half spaces. Malcom and R बोली Lodi push wide to provide width and stretch the defense.

The attack features a partnership of two forwards. Aleksandar Mitrovic serves as a physical presence to hold up the ball and target crosses, while Malcom Leonardo works to find spaces and link up play between the lines. The duo works to press the opposition back line to force long balls. When the team attacks, they look to create overloads on the flanks with Lodi and Malcom, creating cutbacks for the strikers or allowing the midfielders to arrive late into the box.

Al-Hilal gains a significant advantage through numerical superiority in the midfield. The presence of Neves, Milinkovic-Savic, and Fernandes allows the club to control the tempo and win the second ball. Additionally, the ability to use the wingbacks to stretch the opposition creates massive space for the two strikers to exploit in one on one situations.

This 3-5-2 formation makes Al-Hilal a force in controlling the central areas and attacking with intensity. It is a system best suited for dominating possession against teams that sit deep or for catching opponents on the break during transitions.