Besiktas Football Formation
Starting Lineup
Mert Günok · Tiago Djalo · Emirhan T. · Taylan Bulut · Ridvan Yilmaz · Wilfried Ndidi · Orkun Kökcü · Kartal Yilmaz · Rafa Silva · Tammy Abraham · Vaclav CernyBesiktas aims to win the ball high up the pitch and strike with heavy verticality using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to play with high intensity and use wide areas to stretch the opposition. The team looks to recover possession quickly to catch opponents while they are out of position.
Mert Günok stays between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit operates with a back three of Wilfried Ndidi, Emirhan T., and Tiago Djalo. Wilfried Ndidi acts as the central defender to win the second ball and provide cover. Emirhan T. and Tiago Djalo operate as wide centre-backs to cover the flanks. The wing backs Taylan Bulut and Ridvan Yilmaz push high to provide width, while the central trio maintains a compact shape to defend zonally.
The midfield functions as a two-man unit designed to link the back line to the attack. Orkun Kökcü operates as a deep lying playmaker to receive the ball from the defenders and switch play. Kartal Yilmaz works alongside him to press aggressively and win the ball in the center. This pairing must cover large amounts of space to protect the back three and ensure the team can transition from defense to attack without being caught on the break.
In the final third, Besiktas employs three attackers to pin the last defender. Tammy Abraham operates as a lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Rafa Silva and Vaclav Cerny play as wide attackers who cut inside to create chances. The wing backs Taylan Bulut and Ridvan Yilmaz provide the width by overlapping the wingers. This creates combinations in tight spaces and allows the team to hit in behind on the transition.
This formation offers Besiktas significant tactical advantages through wide overloads. By having Taylan Bulut and Vaclav Cerny on one side, the team can create numerical superiority against a single fullback. The ability to press high in coordinated waves also helps the team win the ball back high up the pitch. The presence of Orkun Kökcü provides the passing range needed to bypass the midfield and find the front three quickly.
The 5-2-3 formation relies on high energy and rapid transitions to disrupt the opponent. This lineup is best suited for games against teams that play a high line or struggle to defend wide areas.