Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Mandzukic (Gimenez) (Juventus) · Morata (Vlahovic) (Juventus) · Modric (Locatelli) (Milan) · Perisic (Coman) (PSV) · Koopmeiners (Reijnders) (Juventus) · Estupinan (Gvardiol) (Milan) · Hancko (Alaba) (Atlético) · De Ligt (Bremer) (Juventus) · Kulusevski (Weah) (Juventus) · Maignan (Casteels) (Milan) · Molina (Kimmich) (Atlético)

Focusing on a high press and rapid transitions, this team utilizes a 4-4-2 formation. The lineup is built to win it back high up the pitch and use direct verticality to punish opponents. By keeping the lines compact, the team aims to squeeze the space between the units and force long balls from the opposition.

Maignan acts as the foundation in goal, often ready to sweep behind a high line. In front of him, the back four functions with a clear division of roles. De Ligt operates as a dominant centre back, winning the header and cleaning up direct threats, while Hancko covers alongside him. On the flanks, Molina and Estupinan act as attacking full backs, looking to overlap the midfielders to provide width. The defensive unit remains narrow to deny the turn in central areas.

The midfield operates with a four man block that shifts to cover the width of the pitch. Modric sits in the middle to recycle possession and use his passing range to find teammates. Koopmeiners works as a carrier to drive forward with the ball, while Kulusevski provides technical skill in the half spaces. Perisic operates as an attacking ten behind the strikers, looking to arrive late into the box or find pockets of space between the lines. This group works to connect the defensive unit with the front two by playing short from the back and then breaking quickly.

The attacking unit features two forwards in a partnership to stretch the defence. Mandzukic acts as a target man, capable of holding up the ball and playing a one-two with his strike partner. Morata plays as a second striker who looks to run in behind and exploit the space behind the last defender. These two press from the front to trigger a press in the midfield. When the team wins the ball, the forwards look to receive on the half-turn and drive towards the goal.

One major advantage of this lineup is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, with the front two and the attacking midfielders forcing the opposition into mistakes. Another strength is the width provided by the full backs, which helps create wide overloads. The team also benefits from the physical presence of the strikers, making them very dangerous when they win the second ball in the final third.

This 4-4-2 formation is designed for a high intensity game that relies on physical dominance and quick counter attacks. It is best suited for facing teams that play a high line or struggle to play out from the back.