SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Anatoliy Trubin · António Silva · Amar Dedić · Samuel Dahl · Tomás Araújo · Georgiy Sudakov · Richard Ríos · Fredrik Aursnes · Enzo Barrenechea · Vangelis Pavlidis · Dodi Lukébakio

SL Benfica aims to control the tempo and use verticality through a 4-4-2 formation. This lineup relies on a high press and quick transitions to unsettle the opposition. The team works to regain the ball high up the pitch to catch the opponent out of position before they can settle.

Anatoliy Trubin acts as the last line of defense behind a back four. The defensive unit employs a high line to squeeze the space in the middle of the pitch. António Silva operates as a ball playing defender with strong recovery speed, while Tomás Araújo provides cover and dominance in the air. Amar Dedić pushes high to provide width on the right, whereas Samuel Dahl tracks back to defend the flank and tucks in to help the central pair.

The midfield consists of a four man unit that connects the back line to the attack. Fredrik Aursnes sits in a single pivot role to shield the defense and recycle possession. Richard Ríos and Enzo Barrenechea operate as two central midfielders, with Ríos looking to drive forward with the ball and Barrenechea acting to intercept play. Georgiy Sudakov plays as an attacking ten behind the forwards, looking to find pockets of space and play through the lines to create chances.

The attack uses two forwards to stretch the opposition back line. Vangelis Pavlidis acts as a pressing centre forward to harass the defenders and hold up the ball for others. Dodi Lukébakio plays as an inverted winger on the right side, cutting inside to find shooting opportunities. This movement allows the team to attack in combinations, often using the wide runs of the full backs to create overlaps and force the defense to spread wide.

SL Benfica gains tactical advantages through numerical superiority in the central zones when Sudakov drops deep. The team also benefits from the speed of transition when they win the ball in the middle third. These quick shifts allow the forwards to run in behind the defenders before they can recover.

This 4-4-2 lineup is built to dominate games through high intensity and vertical passing. It is best suited for facing opponents that play a high line or struggle to manage pressure in their own half.