Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

99 Tyton (37 Andres)
6 Smalling (2 Zouma)
15 Hummels (5 L. Garcia)
23 Bartra (13 Colombi (vc))
8 Sissoko (17 Ndinga)
4 Bertolacci (C) (16 Succi (vc))
18 Pilar (14 Ionov)
3 Parensen (57 Martinez)
7 Ramlal (52 Casadei (vc))
29 Ben Khalifa (21 Dybala)
9 Welbeck (22 Coda)

Roma focuses on a defensive block and quick transitions, playing a 5-4-1 formation. This lineup is built to sit deep and deny space in the central areas while looking to hit opponents on the break. The primary goal is to stay compact and force the opposition into wide areas where they can be contained.

Tyton starts in goal to anchor the defensive unit. The back line operates as a narrow defensive block with three central defenders. Bertolacci (C) leads this group as the captain, acting as the left centre-back to organize the line. Sissoko and Hummels sit alongside him, with Hummels providing aerial strength and Sissoko covering the space behind. Smalling plays as the right wing back to provide width, while Bartra acts as the left wing back to help the defense shift across the pitch. This five man unit works together to keep the distance between the lines very short.

The midfield works as a four man line to protect the central zone. Ramlal and Pilar sit in the middle to control the tempo and shield the defense from direct attacks. Parensen operates on the left side of this midfield block to help recycle possession, while Ben Khalifa plays as an attacking ten behind the striker to connect the midfield to the attack. This group must stay disciplined to ensure they do not get pulled out of position, allowing them to win the second ball and immediately look for the forward lines.

In the attacking phase, Welbeck acts as a lone striker to lead the line. He is tasked to hold up the ball and wait for support to arrive from the midfield. The team uses Ben Khalifa to find pockets of space between the opposition lines, while Smalling and Bartra look to push forward to provide crosses. The attack relies on the ability of the front players to transition from a deep position to an attacking one, often using long balls or quick vertical passes to find Welbeck in behind the defense.

One major advantage for Roma is the compactness when defending in a low block. The narrowness of the three central defenders combined with the midfield four makes it very difficult for opponents to play through the middle. Another strength is the ability to use the wing backs to create wide overloads once the team wins the ball back high up the pitch. This allows the team to switch play quickly and catch the opposition while they are spread wide.

This formation is built to be defensively solid and hard to break down. It is best suited for matches against heavy possession teams where Roma can absorb pressure and strike on the break.