Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Roma relies on a 5-2-3 formation to maintain a solid defensive base while looking to hit opponents on the break. This lineup is built to play a counter attacking style that uses the width of the pitch to stretch the opposition. The goal is to sit deep and wait for the right moment to spring forward.

Svilar stays between the posts to command the area. The defensive unit functions as a back five that can shift into a mid-block. Mancini sits in the center of the defense. Hermoso plays at right centre back to cover space, while Ndicka acts as the left centre back. Wesley operates as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, and Tsimikas acts as the left wing back to push up the flank. This formation allows the defenders to stay compact and deny the turn to attackers.

The midfield operates as a double pivot to protect the back line. Konè acts as the carrier who drives forward with the ball to link the defense to the attack. Cristante sits deeper to shield the defense and win the second ball. This duo works to compress the midfield and prevent the opposition from playing through the lines. They try to intercept passes and quickly transition the ball to the forward line.

The attack features three players across the front. Ferguson acts as the lone striker to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. El Shaarawi plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and find space in the half spaces. Soulè plays on the right and looks to isolate one on one situations against the opposition full back. The wing backs, Wesley and Tsimikas, provide the width to allow the forwards to move centrally. The team aims to break quickly and deliver early balls into the channels.

This lineup offers Roma the ability to play in a compact formation when defending deep. By using five defenders, they create numerical superiority against most three man attacks. The speed of transition is a major advantage as Konè can carry the ball forward quickly. The team can also create wide overloads when Wesley or Tsimikas overlap the wingers to overwhelm the flanks.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a strong foundation for a side that wants to defend deep and attack with pace. It is best suited for games against teams that dominate possession where Roma can soak up pressure and counter at pace.