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 relies on quick transitions and a high press using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike with speed before the opposition can settle into a rhythm.

Trubin guards the goal while the back five forms a unit to defend zonally. Enzo Barrenechea sits in the middle of the three centre backs to protect the central zone, while Otamendi uses his aerial strength to lead the line and clear the lines. Antonio Silva acts as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back. Dedic and Dahl act as attacking wing backs who provide the width, pushing high to overlap the winger or tracking back to cover the wide areas when the team sits deep.

The midfield relies on a two man engine room consisting of Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro. Fredrik Aursnes works to connect the defensive and attacking lines, often dropping deep to receive the ball and drive forward with the ball. Leandro Barreiro stays more central to shield the defence and win the second ball. This duo works to squeeze the space in the middle and intercept passes, allowing the team to progress through the thirds.

Up front, SL Benfica employs three attackers to spread wide. Franjo Ivanovic works as a pressing centre forward to trigger a press from the front and pin the last defender. Andreas Schjelderup plays as an inverted winger on the left, looking to cut inside and play through the lines. Dodi Lukebakio stays wide on the right to stretch the defence and deliver early crosses or cut it back for runners. This formation creates many runs in behind and allows the forwards to combine in tight spaces.

One major strength of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of Dedic and Dahl. By pushing the wing backs high, the team forces the opposition to pull wide and creates space in the channels. Another advantage is the speed of transition when the midfield duo recovers possession. The team can quickly switch play or go direct to the wingers to hit in behind on the transition.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a way to defend deep and attack with pace. It is best suited for games against teams that dominate possession but leave large spaces behind their full backs.