Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Gvardiol (Man City) · Stones (Man City) · De Jong (Ajax) · Alaba (FC Bayern) · Van Dijk 17-9 (Liverpool) · Neuer (Liverpool) · Kvaratskhelia (Man City) · B.Silva (Man City) · Modric (Real Madrid) · R.Firmino (Liverpool) · Yamal (Barcelona)

A high press and quick transition style defines this lineup in a 5-2-3 formation. The team aims to win it back high up the pitch and use vertical passing to catch opponents out of position. This formation relies on heavy pressure from the front to squeeze the space and force errors in the opposition half.

Neuer acts as the sweeping goalkeeper, often coming out of his area to collect long balls and play short from the back. The back three consists of De Jong, Van Dijk, and Alaba, providing a massive presence in the air and strength in defending. Van Dijk acts as a ball playing defender who can hit in behind on the transition, while Alaba provides coverage and can step up into midfield. Stones and Gvardiol play as attacking wing backs, tasked to spread wide and provide width. Gvardiol will push high to overlap the winger, while Stones looks to carry the ball forward to support the attack.

The midfield operates as a double pivot, with Modric and B. Silva controlling the center of the pitch. Modric uses his elite passing range to recycle possession and find teammates between the lines, while B. Silva presses aggressively to win the ball high. These two connect the defensive unit to the attack by playing through the lines. Modric often drops deep to receive from the defenders, whereas B. Silva works to cover the space left by the advancing wing backs.

The attacking front line uses three attackers to stretch the defence. R. Firmino plays as a pressing centre-forward who drops into the hole to link up play, while Kvaratskhelia and Yamal act as wide wingers who stay wide to isolate the opposition full backs. Kvaratskhelia loves to cut inside to create chances, and Yamal uses his dribbling to beat his man in one on one situations. The movement of R. Firmino allows the wingers to make runs in behind, creating constant pressure on the opposition back line.

One major advantage is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of Stones and Gvardiol. This formation also offers compactness when defending, as the wing backs can drop back to form a five man block. The team can also win the second ball effectively due to the physical presence of Van Dijk and Alaba.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for a team that wants to dominate through high pressure and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for facing opponents who play a high defensive line and struggle to deal with quick transitions.