SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Carreras · Araújo · Otamendi · Dedic · Pavlidis · Florentino · Kökcü · Aktürkoglu · Schjelderup · Aursnes · Trubin

SL Benfica plays with a vertical identity using a 5-2-3 formation. The team aims to win the ball high up the pitch and break quickly to catch the opposition. This lineup is built to play with directness and high intensity, using the width of the pitch to stretch the defence.

Trubin stays in goal to command the area. The defensive unit consists of a back five where Carreras and Dedic act as attacking wing backs who spread wide to provide width. In the central zone, Otamendi, Araújo, and Florentino form a narrow defensive block. Otamendi is known for his aerial strength and helps the team clear the lines under pressure. The defenders must work to cover the space behind the wing backs and ensure they do not leave the center exposed.

The midfield operates as a double pivot with Kökcü and Aursnes. Kökcü is tasked to drive forward with the ball and carry the ball forward into the half-spaces to break the line. Aursnes works to connect the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession and finding the feet of the striker. This pairing is responsible to protect the middle and win the second ball to keep the pressure on the opponent.

Three attackers lead the way in the final third. Aktürkoglu uses his pressing intensity to disrupt the opposition while Schjelderup acts as an inverted winger who cuts inside to occupy the half-spaces. Pavlidis works as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and hold up the ball to allow others to join the attack. The movement is designed to create runs in behind and look for cutbacks from the byline as the wingers get to the byline.

The formation offers significant advantages, such as wide overloads from the overlapping runs of Dedic and Carreras. SL Benfica can also use the ability to press high in coordinated waves to force a long ball from the opponent. The formation creates numerical superiority in the defensive third while allowing for rapid transitions to the front three.

This 5-2-3 formation is a powerful tool for maintaining a compact block while attacking with pace. It is best suited for games where the team must hit in behind on the transition against an opponent that plays a high line.