Bayer Leverkusen Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Mark Flekker · Quansah · Tapsoba · Hincapie · Aleix García · Andrich · Tella · Grimaldo · Schick · Adli · Maza

Bayer Leverkusen plays with a high press and aims to control the game using a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to dominate territory and use wide areas to stretch the defence. The team works to win the ball high up the pitch to strike quickly in transition.

Mark Flekker acts as the goalkeeper to play out from the back and start attacks. The defensive unit sits in a high line using a back three consisting of Hincapie, Quansah, and Tapsoba. Hincapie operates as the right side centre back to cover the flank, while Tapsoba plays as the left side centre back to provide cover. Quansah stays central to win the header and act as the main centre back. This trio works to squeeze the space and maintain a compact unit when the ball is on the opposite side.

In the middle, the team uses a double pivot and two wide players to connect the defence and attack. Andrich plays to shield the defence and win the second ball, while Aleix García acts as a carrier to drive forward with the ball and progress through the thirds. Grimaldo and Tella provide the width from the wide positions. The former is known for his passing range and can whip it in from deep, while Tella must track back to defend the wide areas.

The attack is built around three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. Schick acts as a pressing centre-forward to hold up the ball and lead the line. Maza and Adli play as the wide attackers, with Maza staying wide to isolate his marker and Adli cutting inside to create chances. The team looks to combine in tight spaces to find Schick or play through the lines to the wingers. This creates many opportunities for runs in behind and cutbacks from the byline.

A major strength for Bayer Leverkusen is the ability to create wide overloads. The wingers and wide midfielders work together to spread wide and pin the opposition back. The formation also allows for the ability to press high in coordinated waves, which helps win it back high up the pitch. This puts immediate pressure on the opponent to clear the lines.

This 3-4-3 formation is designed to dominate possession and use width to break down a low block. It is best suited for games against teams that sit deep and defend in a narrow block.