SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Pavlidis (F. Ivanovic / H. Araújo) · Dodi Lukebakio (G. Prestianni) · Andreas Schjelderup (Bruma) · Richard Ríos (D. Prioste / J. Veloso) · Enzo Barrenechea (Manu / N. Fèlix) · Fredrik Aursnes (L. Barreiro) · Dedic (Bah / L. Santos) · Antonia Silva (Tomàs Araújo) · Otamendi (G. Oliveira / J. Wynder) · Dahl (R. Obrador) · Trubin (S. Soares / D. Ferreira)

SL Benfica looks to win the ball back high and strike quickly using a 5-2-3. This lineup relies on vertical play and quick transitions to catch opponents out of position. The team wants to control the game through high energy and direct play to break the lines.

Trubin stays between the posts to guard the goal. The defense uses a back five with Enzo Barrenechea, Otamendi, and Antonia Silva in the central roles. Otamendi uses his aerial strength and passing range to help play out from the back and cover the other defenders. Dedic acts as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width and overlap the winger. Dahl plays as an attacking wing back on the left side to push high up the pitch. The central unit stays compact to protect the middle and win the second ball.

A two man midfield occupies the center of the pitch. Richard Ríos and Fredrik Aursnes act as a central pairing to control the tempo. Richard Ríos works to shield the defense and press aggressively to win the ball high. Fredrik Aursnes drives forward with the ball to link the defensive and attacking lines. They must stay close together to prevent opponents from playing through the lines and to ensure they can recycle possession.

The attack features three players across the front. Pavlidis acts as a lone striker to hold up the ball and lead the press from the front. Andreas Schjelderup plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and look for goals. Dodi Lukebakio operates on the right to stretch the defense and provide width. The wingers look to hit in behind on the transition while the full backs overlap to create overloads. This movement creates chances to whip it in or cut it back from the byline.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages. The presence of Dedic and Dahl provides wide overloads from overlapping full backs when they push into the final third. The back five allows SL Benfica to maintain compactness when defending in a mid block. The team also relies on the ability to counter at pace to exploit space behind the opposition defense.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for teams that want to defend deep and strike on the break. It works best against opponents who play a high line and leave space for the wingers to exploit.