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) · Richard Ríos (Enzo Barrenechea / Manu) · Dodi Lukebakio (G. Prestianni) · Andreas Schjelderup (Bruma) · Sudakov (J. Rego / Gonçalo Moreira) · Vangelis Pavlidis · Franjo Ivanovic (H. Araújo)

SL Benfica prioritizes a vertical style of play that relies on a strong defensive block and quick transitions. The Benfica lineup utilizes a 5-3-2 formation to stay compact and win the second ball. This system is built to absorb pressure and then break quickly to exploit space in the opponent's half.

Trubin plays in goal to command his area and start play. This defensive unit works as a back five. Dedic acts as the right wing back to provide width, while Dahl plays as the left wing back to support the attack. In the center, Richard Ríos sits as the central defender to cover the space. Antonio Silva and Otamendi form the rest of the back three. Silva acts as a ball playing defender, while Otamendi is dominant in the air to win the header. Defending zonally allows the group to maintain a narrow defensive block.

The midfield operates as a three man midfield with a central carrier and an attacking ten. Sudakov plays as the attacking ten to connect the defensive and attacking lines. Dodi Lukebakio and Andreas Schjelderup operate in the half spaces. Lukebakio carries the ball forward to drive the play, while Schjelderup moves to receive on the half-turn. This group works to press in a mid-block to win it back high up the pitch and recycle possession.

The front line uses two forwards in a partnership. Vangelis Pavlidis plays as a pressing centre-forward, while Franjo Ivanovic plays as a second striker in the hole. They look to pin the last defender to create runs in behind. Dedic and Dahl push high to get to the byline and whip it in. This duo will combine in tight spaces to break the line and score.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages like compactness when defending. The Benfica back five provides a strong base to defend zonally and deny the turn. The team also gains speed of transition when they can hit in behind on the transition. Using Dedic and Dahl allows the team to create wide overloads to stretch the defence.

This 5-3-2 is a resilient formation built for counter attacking. It is best suited for games against teams that play a high line and leave space behind.