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 (J. Veloso) · Leandro Barreiro (D. Prioste) · Dodi Lukebakio (G. Prestianni) · Andreas Schjelderup (Bruma) · Franjo Ivanovic (V. Pavlidis / H. Araújo)

SL Benfica works to play a direct and high pressing game using a 5-2-3 formation. The lineup aims to win the ball back high up the pitch to catch the opposition out of position. This method relies on quick transitions and verticality to stretch the defence. This formation is built to punish teams that struggle to play out from the back.

Trubin stays between the posts to organize the defensive unit. The back line functions as a back three consisting of Otamendi, Enzo Barrenechea, and Antonio Silva. Otamendi uses his aerial strength and passing range to lead the line and cover the other defenders. Antonio Silva acts as a ball playing defender to help move the ball forward. Dedic operates as a right wing back to provide width and track back to defend the flank. Dahl plays as a left wing back to overlap the winger and squeeze the space on the left side.

The midfield functions as a double pivot with Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro. Aursnes works to drive forward with the ball and press aggressively to win the ball high. Barreiro holds a deeper position to shield the defence and protect the central defenders. These two players connect the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession or playing through the lines. They must work to intercept passes and pick up runners before the opposition can progress through the thirds.

The front line uses three attackers to pin the last defender. Franjo Ivanovic acts as a pressing centre-forward to harass the opposition back line. On the flanks, Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio act as wide wingers who stay high to stretch the defence. Schjelderup often looks to cut inside to create chances in the half spaces, while Lukebakio pushes to get to the byline and whip it in. This formation creates chances through runs in behind and wide overloads when Dedic and Dahl push up the pitch.

SL Benfica gains a clear advantage through wide overloads provided by the wing backs. When Dedic and Dahl push forward, they create numerical superiority in the wide areas to isolate defenders. The team also shows strength in its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By using the front three to trigger a press, the midfield and defence can compress the midfield and win the second ball.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for teams that want to dominate through high pressure and rapid transitions. It is most effective against opponents that play a high line and struggle to defend against wide runners.