SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

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

SL Benfica focuses on a vertical style of play designed to catch teams out on the transition using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup aims to be defensively solid while keeping enough players forward to punish the opposition quickly. The goal is to use the width of the pitch to stretch the defense and create space for central runners.

Trubin keeps goal and acts as the last line of defense. The defensive unit operates as a back five where Otamendi and Enzo Barrenechea occupy the central positions. Otamendi is known for his aerial strength and leadership while cleaning up direct balls. Antonio Silva plays as the right-sided center-back to cover the space behind the wing-back. Dedic acts as the right wing-back to provide width and overlap the wingers. Dahl works on the left side as an attacking wing-back to push high up the pitch. This defensive block can sit deep or squeeze the space to maintain a compact shape.

The midfield operates as a double pivot. Leandro Barreiro and Fredrik Aursnes occupy the two central roles to connect the defense and attack. Barreiro works to shield the defense and win the second ball in the middle of the pitch. Aursnes has the engine to drive forward with the ball and help in both boxes. They must control the tempo and ensure they do not get bypassed during transitions. This pair is responsible for recycling possession and finding the wide players.

In the final third, SL Benfica uses three attackers to pin the opposition back line. Franjo Ivanovic leads the line as a central striker to hold up the ball and provide a focal point. Dodi Lukebakio plays as an inverted winger on the right to cut inside and threaten the goal. Andreas Schjelderup operates on the left to provide dribbling and service. These three forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opponent. The formation is designed to create runs in behind and exploit the space created by the advancing wing-backs.

This lineup offers the tactical advantage of wide overloads when Dedic and Dahl push high to support the wingers. The presence of three central defenders allows for great compactness when defending in a low block. The team can also exploit speed of transition by moving the ball quickly from Trubin through the double pivot to the front three.

This 5-2-3 formation is built to be hard to break down and deadly on the counter. It is best suited for games against dominant teams where sitting deep and hitting on the transition is necessary.