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) · Franjo Ivanovic (H. Araújo) · Vangelis Pavlidis

SL Benfica utilizes a 5-3-2 formation designed to be defensively solid while looking to hit teams on the transition. This lineup focuses on staying compact in a mid-block and using the width of the wing backs to stretch the pitch when they win the ball. The team aims to win the second ball and quickly progress through the thirds to catch the opposition off guard.

Trubin stands between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit works as a back five with Otamendi and Richard Ríos occupying the central roles to win headers and cover the space. Otamendi is dominant in the air to help clear the lines and protect the box. Antonio Silva operates as a ball playing right centre back to provide stability and sweep behind a high line when necessary. Dedic acts as an attacking wing back on the right to push up and provide width, while Dahl plays as the left wing back to support the flank. The unit will defend zonally to keep the lines tight and force the opposition wide.

The midfield three works to connect the defensive line to the attack. Sudakov operates in an advanced role to play through the lines and find the forwards. Andreas Schjelderup plays on the left of the midfield trio to link play and recycle possession. Dodi Lukebakio occupies the right side of the midfield to carry the ball forward and provide energy. This group works to squeeze the space in the middle and deny the opposition a clear path to goal.

Up front, the team relies on a two-man partnership of Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic. Pavlidis acts as a focal point to hold up the ball and allow others to join the attack. Ivanovic works alongside him to make runs in behind the last defender and stretch the defence. When attacking, Dedic and Dahl push high to overlap the midfielders and whip it in to the box. The attack is built to create combinations in tight spaces and exploit the space left by the opposition.

One major advantage for SL Benfica is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of Dedic and Dahl. The formation also offers great compactness when defending, making it difficult for opponents to play through the middle. By keeping the midfield and defensive lines close together, the team can quickly transition from a defensive block to a vertical attack and hit in behind on the transition.

This 5-3-2 formation provides a robust foundation for a team that wants to control the center and exploit the flanks. It is best suited for matches against dominant sides where sitting deep and countering at pace is required.