Tottenham Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Vicario (Kinsky) · Palhinha (Bentancur / Archie Gray) · Romero (Danso) · Maddison☢️ (Odobert) · Bissouma (Bergvall / Matar Sarr) · Richarlison (Solanke / Solomon) · Tel · Udogie (Ben Davies) · Van de Ven (Dragusin) · Kulusevski (Kudus) · Porro (Djed Spence)

Tottenham focuses on a high press and quick transitions through a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup relies on verticality to catch teams out of position, using aggressive movements to win the ball high up the pitch. The team aims to play with high intensity, using the width of the pitch to stretch the opposition before attacking the box.

Vicario stays between the posts to command his area and start attacks. The back line functions as a back three with Palhinha sitting centrally to provide height and strength. Romero plays as the right centre-back to act as a ball playing defender, while Van de Ven covers the left side with his recovery speed. On either side, Porro and Udogie act as attacking wing backs. Porro pushes high to provide width on the right, whereas Udogie drives forward on the left to create overloads. The defensive unit works to squeeze the space and play a high line to keep the team compact.

The midfield uses a double pivot to connect the defense to the attack. Bissouma operates as the primary ball carrier to drive forward with the ball and win second balls in the middle. Maddison operates as a creative force, looking to play through the lines and find pockets of space between the opposition lines. Maddison uses his passing range to find the forwards. This duo must work hard to cover the space left behind by the advancing wing backs and maintain control when the team sits in a mid-block.

In the final third, Tottenham uses three attackers to pin the opposition back line. Richarlison acts as a pressing centre-forward, working to lead the press from the front. On the flanks, Kulusevski plays as an inverted winger on the right, looking to cut inside and create. Tel plays on the left to provide directness and width. The attack is built through combinations in tight spaces, with the wing backs looking to overlap the wingers to deliver crosses into the box.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, specifically the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of Porro and Udogie creates constant wide overloads that force the opposition to defend deep. Additionally, the speed of Van de Ven allows the team to commit bodies forward while remaining safe against long balls.

Tottenham utilizes this 5-2-3 to dominate territory through aggressive pressing. This lineup is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.