Marseille Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Marseille plays with a high intensity, transition based identity using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup looks to absorb pressure before hitting teams quickly on the break. The focus is on creating vertical passing lanes to exploit spaces left by the opposition and move the ball quickly through the thirds.

Rulli sits between the posts to command the box. The defensive line functions as a back five with Kondogbia acting as the central anchor to hold the line. Medina and Balerdi operate as ball playing centre backs to play out from the back. On the flanks, Merlin and Lirola act as attacking wing backs to provide width. Merlin pushes high to overlap the winger while Lirola covers the wide areas. The unit defends zonally to maintain a narrow defensive block when out of possession.

The midfield consists of a double pivot with Højbjerg and Rabiot. Højbjerg uses his passing range to switch play and his work rate to press in a mid block. Rabiot helps to connect the defensive and attacking lines as he carries the ball forward. Together, they work to shield the defence and win the second ball in the middle of the pitch. They often drop deep to receive the ball from the centre backs and recycle possession.

Up front, Gouiri leads the line as a pressing centre forward. He works to pin the last defender and create space for the others. Harit and Greenwood operate as inverted wingers who cut inside to threaten the goal. Greenwood uses his dribbling to isolate defenders in one on one situations in wide areas. This attacking formation relies on Harit and Greenwood to pull wide and stretch the defence before they cut inside to find the feet of the striker or arrive late into the box.

One main strength for Marseille is the width provided by Merlin and Lirola which creates wide overloads. Another advantage is the central compactness offered by the three centre backs and the double pivot. The team can also break quickly through the speed of transition when Højbjerg wins the ball and finds the front three.

This 5-2-3 lineup provides a solid base for Olympique de Marseille to absorb pressure and strike on the break. It is a formation best suited for facing high pressing teams that leave gaps behind their midfield.