Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Raya (Trafford, Vicario) (Arsenal) · de Ligt (Gabriel, Stones, van Dijk) (Man Utd) · Ballard (Acheampong, Romero) (Sunderland) · Sarr (Caicedo, Kamara, Wharton) (Tottenham) · Reijnders (Casemiro, Gonzalez, Onana) (Man City) · Haaland (Wood) (Man City) · Ekitike (B. Johnson, Chiesa, Gakpo) (Liverpool) · Richarlison (Cherki, Kudus, O. Bobb) (Tottenham) · Semenyo (Diarra, Porro, R. Lewis) (Bournemouth) · Van de Ven (Guehi, Shaw, Spence) (Tottenham) · Anderson (Ait Nouri, Bergvall, MacA) (Nottm Forest)

This team aims to play with a high press and fast transitions using a 3-4-3 formation. The lineup relies on verticality to catch opponents out of position and quickly move the ball into the final third. By pushing the lines up high, the side looks to win the ball back high up the pitch and immediately exploit the space left behind the opposition defense.

Raya operates as the goalkeeper, providing a presence behind a back three. The defensive unit consists of de Ligt in the center, flanked by Van de Ven on the left and Ballard on the right. Van de Ven uses his recovery speed to cover large spaces, while de Ligt acts as a dominant force in the air to win headers. Ballard provides stability on the right side of the central block. This back three functions to hold a high line and squeeze the space in the middle of the pitch.

The midfield uses a four man block to control the center and the flanks. Sarr and Reijnders operate as a double pivot to protect the defense and connect the lines. Reijnders looks to carry the ball forward and progress through the thirds, while Sarr helps to shield the back three. On the edges, Anderson and Semenyo act as wide midfielders who provide width. Anderson can push up to support the attack, while Semenyo works to stretch the defence and track back when the team loses possession.

The attacking front line features three players tasked with constant movement. Haaland acts as a powerful lone striker, using his strength to hold up the ball and his movement to run in behind defenders. Ekitike plays as a wide attacker on the left, while Richarlison operates on the right. Both Ekitike and Richarlison often cut inside to create central presence and allow the wide midfielders to overlap. They press the opposition back line aggressively to force a long ball and maintain high pressure.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for opponents to build play from the back. The team also gains numerical superiority in wide areas when the wingers and wide midfielders combine to isolate defenders in one on one situations. This creates many chances to whip it in or deliver early crosses into the box for Haaland.

This 3-4-3 formation is built for an aggressive, high intensity game. It is best suited for facing opponents who struggle to play out from the back under heavy pressure.