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

SL Benfica aim to control games through a solid defensive base and quick transitions using a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup is built to absorb pressure before hitting the opposition in behind. The goal is to use the width of the wing backs to stretch the pitch while keeping the central areas compact to win the second ball.

Trubin operates between the posts to secure the goal. The defensive unit uses a back five to protect the central zone. Otamendi acts as a ball playing defender while Enzo Barrenechea provides cover. Antonio Silva plays as a right centre back to help manage the line. Dedic and Dahl function as attacking wing backs who push high up the pitch to provide width. This setup allows the team to drop into a low block when needed or step up to compress the space in a mid block.

The midfield works as a three man midfield with a carrier and creative elements. Sudakov plays as an attacking ten behind the strikers to link the lines. Dodi Lukebakio and Andreas Schjelderup occupy the central roles to control the tempo. Lukebakio and Schjelderup help to press in a mid block to win it back high up the pitch. Sudakov looks to play through the lines to find the forwards. The trio works to deny the pivot and ensure the middle of the pitch remains difficult to penetrate.

An attacking partnership of two forwards sits at the top of the formation. Vangelis Pavidis and Franjo Ivanovic work together to lead the line. Pavlidis acts as a pressing centre forward to bother the opposition back line. Ivanovic looks to make runs in behind the defence to exploit space. The wing backs, Dedic and Dahl, overlap the attackers to deliver crosses into the box. This allows the team to attack in combinations or use the width to isolate wide players in one on one situations.

SL Benfica gain a tactical advantage through numerical superiority in the central defensive zone. The use of Dedic and Dahl allows for wide overloads when they push forward. The team can also shift between a defensive block and a high press with ease. This flexibility makes it hard for opponents to find space between the lines.

This 5-3-2 formation relies on defensive solidity and rapid verticality. It is best suited for games against dominant teams where sitting deep and countering at pace is necessary.