Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Svilar/VASQUEZ · Mancini · Ndicka/ZIOLKOWSKI · Hermoso/GHILARDI · Konè/Pellegrini/Pisilli · EL AYNAOUI/Cristante · BAILEY/El Shaarawi · Soulè/Dybala/Baldanzi · Dovbyk/FERGUSON · Angelinho/TSIMIKAS · WESLEY/Celik/Rensch

Roma relies on a high press and quick verticality using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike immediately before the opposition can settle. By using three central defenders and two wide wing backs, the team looks to create defensive solidity while maintaining the ability to stretch the pitch during transitions.

Svilar stands between the posts to organize the back line. Roma utilizes a back three consisting of Mancini, Ndicka, and Hermoso to defend the central zone. Mancini acts as the leader in the middle, while Ndicka and Hermoso provide cover and play out from the back. The wing backs, Angelinho and Wesley, are tasked with providing width and covering the wide areas, often pushing high to support the attack or dropping back to form a five man line when the team sits deep.

The midfield operates as a two man unit to connect the defense to the front three. El Aynaoui and Konè work to shield the defense and win the second ball in the middle third. These players must press aggressively to disrupt the opponent and then carry the ball forward to find the attackers. They are responsible for recycling possession and ensuring the team does not get caught on the counter when the wing backs push up the pitch.

In the final third, Roma uses three attackers to pin the opposition defense. Dovbyk acts as a physical presence up front to hold up the ball and link play. Soulè operates from the right wing to cut inside, while Bailey provides width or presence on the left. These forwards are expected to press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. The movement of these players creates runs in behind and allows the team to attack in combinations through the half spaces.

This formation offers significant advantages through wide overloads when Angelinho and Wesley overlap the wingers. The presence of three central defenders provides compactness when defending in a mid block, making it difficult for opponents to play through the middle. Additionally, the team can use the speed of transition to hit teams in behind using the pace of Soulè and Bailey.

This 5-2-3 formation is a heavy pressing system that looks to dominate through verticality. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line or struggle to play out from the back under pressure.