SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Dahl · Dedic · Otamendi · A Silva · Aursens · Rios · Berrenchea · Kerem Akturk · Pavlidis · F Ivanovic · Trubin

SL Benfica focuses on a direct and vertical style of play using a 5-2-3 formation. The goal is to stay compact and win the ball to launch quick attacks. This lineup is built to sit deep and use the width of the pitch to stretch the opposition once possession is regained.

Trubin acts as the goalkeeper to organize the defensive line. The formation uses a back five with Berrenchea playing as the central defender to anchor the unit. Otamendi operates as the left centre back and is dominant in the air, while A Silva functions as the right centre back. Dedic and Dahl play as attacking wing backs to provide the width during the attacking phase. Dedic pushes up the right side to overlap the winger, while Dahl moves up the left. The unit works to defend zonally and keep the block narrow.

The midfield relies on a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. Rios and Aursens work to connect the defence to the attack. Rios works to shield the defence and win the second ball, while Aursens looks to carry the ball forward and progress through the thirds. They must work to squeeze the space in the middle and deny the turn to opposition players. This duo links the back five to the front three by recycling possession and playing short from the back.

The attack uses a front three with F Ivanovic acting as a lone striker to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. Kerem Akturk plays on the left as an inverted winger to cut inside and find the feet of the striker. Pavlidis operates on the right wing to stretch the defence. The front line is tasked to press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This movement creates space for Dedic and Dahl to overlap and deliver crosses. The team looks to hit in behind on the transition to catch the opposition out.

The main strengths of this formation include wide overloads and a very compact defensive block. When Dedic and Dahl push high, they create numerical superiority on the flanks. The central trio of Berrenchea, Otamendi, and A Silva makes it hard for teams to play through the lines. This allows SL Benfica to maintain a solid defensive base while waiting to counter at pace.

This 5-2-3 formation is designed for a team that wants to absorb pressure and attack with speed. It is most effective when playing against opponents that play a high line and leave space behind.