Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

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

A heavy emphasis on high pressing and rapid verticality defines this team, which operates in a 3-5-2 formation. The lineup aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and immediately look to hit in behind the opposition defense. This formation is built to play with high intensity, using a compact midfield block to squeeze the space and force errors in the middle third.

Raya plays as the lone goalkeeper, acting as a sweep behind a high line to manage space behind the back three. The central defensive unit consists of de Ligt, Ballard, and Van de Ven. De Ligt acts as the central anchor, while Ballard provides aerial strength in the heart of the defense. Van de Ven uses his recovery pace to cover the left side, allowing the unit to push up and squeeze the play. This defensive line functions as a cohesive block, looking to intercept passes and step up to compress the pitch.

The midfield is a five man unit working to control the center and provide width. Sarr and Reijnders form a double pivot, where Reijnders looks to drive forward with the ball and Sarr works to deny the pivot of the opposition. Semenyo operates as the central engine, helping to connect the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession. Ekitike and Kudus push into the half spaces as attacking midfielders, looking to find the feet of the strikers or arrive late into the box. This midfield group is designed to win the second ball and quickly progress through the thirds.

In the attacking third, the team uses two forwards in a partnership. Haaland acts as the primary presence, using his physical strength to pin the last defender and his movement to run in behind. Richarlison plays alongside him, often looking to pull wide or work in combinations to create space. The attacking structure relies on the movement of Ekitike and Kudus to stretch the defense, creating opportunities for cutbacks from the wide areas or through balls that split the defense. When the team transitions, the forwards press from the front to trigger a press in the opposition half.

One major advantage of this lineup is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, using the midfield and forwards to trap the opponent. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the narrow midfield can quickly spread wide to exploit gaps. The presence of Haaland and Richarlison allows the team to win the second ball and immediately attack the far post or the near post with high velocity.

This 3-5-2 formation relies on high energy and aggressive ball recovery to dominate games. It is best suited for facing opponents who try to build short from the back and struggle under intense pressure.