PSG Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Шевалье · Нуну Мендеш · Пачо · Маркиньос · Хакими · Витинья · Жоау Невеш · Руис · Кварацхелия · Дембеле · Дуэ

PSG focuses on high intensity and verticality when playing with a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and attack the opposition quickly. The team aims to stretch the defense using wide players while staying compact when they do not have the ball.

Шевалье acts as the last line of defense in goal. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of Витинья, Маркиньос, and Пачо. Маркиньос is dominant in the air and provides leadership in the central area. Витинья and Пачо act as ball playing defenders to help play out from the back. The wing backs, Нуну Мендеш on the left and Хакими on the right, push high to provide width. They function as attacking wing backs to overlap the front three, but they must track back to form a five man line when defending in a mid block.

The midfield utilizes a double pivot consisting of Руис and Жоау Невеш. Жоау Невеш plays to press aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch and uses his ability to intercept passes. Руис connects the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession and moving the ball between the thirds. These two midfielders must work hard to cover the spaces left by the wing backs and shield the three central defenders. They are responsible for hitting in behind on the transition when the ball is won.

PSG uses three attackers across the front line to pin the last defender. Дембеле leads the line as a lone striker who works to hold up the ball and link up play between the lines. On the flanks, Кварацхелия and Дуэ operate as inverted wingers who cut inside to create chances in the half spaces. This movement creates space for Нуну Мендеш and Хакими to overlap the winger and deliver crosses. The attackers press the opposition back line to force a long ball and regain possession quickly.

This formation offers the ability to press high in coordinated waves by using the front three and the midfield. PSG can also create wide overloads from overlapping full backs when they move into the final third. The presence of three central defenders provides compactness when defending deep or in a mid block.

The 5-2-3 formation allows PSG to transition from a solid defensive block to a rapid attack. It is best suited for games against teams that play a high line and can be punished with speed on the break.