SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Otamendi · Dahl · Aursens · Rios · Dedic · Kerem Akturk · Schjelderup · Pawlidis · Prestianni · Tomas Araujo · Trubin

SL Benfica aims to win the ball high up the pitch and strike with immediate speed. This team uses a 5-2-3 formation to create a heavy press and rapid transitions. The lineup is built to squeeze the space in the opponent half and move the ball vertically toward the goal as soon as it is won. By staying compact, they aim to force errors from the opposition.

Trubin stands between the posts to guard the goal. The defensive unit sits in a back five. Aursens sits in the center of the line to cover the space. Otamendi acts as a central defender who is dominant in the air and organizes the line. Tomas Araujo plays as the left center back to provide cover. Dedic and Dahl act as attacking wing backs to provide width and push high up the pitch. They are tasked to overlap the wingers and deliver crosses into the box while staying ready to track back.

The midfield works as a double pivot. Rios sits deeper to shield the defense and protect the center. Prestianni plays alongside him to drive forward with the ball and connect the defensive line to the attack. These two players must work together to win the second ball and recycle possession when the initial press is broken. They help the team move from a mid-block into an attacking position by playing short from the back and finding the attackers.

In the final third, the team employs three attackers. Pawlidis acts as the striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of the attackers. Kerem Akturk and Schjelderup play as inverted wingers who cut inside to create chances in the half spaces. This movement creates space for Dedic and Dahl to overlap from deep and get to the byline. The forwards press the opposition back line to force a long ball and win it back high up the pitch.

This lineup offers several tactical advantages. The back five provides compactness when defending against counter attacks. The presence of Dedic and Dahl allows for wide overloads that stretch the defense. Furthermore, the team can use the speed of transition to hit in behind on the transition when the opponent loses the ball. The combination of a high press and a deep defensive line allows the team to squeeze the space effectively.

The 5-2-3 formation allows SL Benfica to be both defensively solid and lethal in transition. This formation is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line and leave space behind their defenders.