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

SL Benfica favors a direct and vertical style of play built upon a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup looks to sit in a mid-block before hitting the opposition on the transition. The team relies on defensive solidity to absorb pressure and then uses rapid movement to exploit spaces behind the opponent.

Trubin guards the goal as the last line of defense. The back line functions as a back three with Enzo Barrenechea acting as the central figure to hold the line. Antonio Silva operates as the right centre back with his ability to intercept passes and recover well. Otamendi plays as the left centre back and uses his aerial strength to win headers during set pieces and crosses. Dedic and Dahl provide the width as attacking wing backs, pushing high to support the attack while tracking back to defend the wide areas.

The midfield operates with a three man midfield with a carrier. Sudakov acts as the attacking ten behind the two strikers, looking to play through the lines and find pockets of space. Dodi Lukebakio and Andreas Schjelderup occupy the central roles to connect the defense to the attack. Lukebakio can drive forward with the ball to transition the play, while Schjelderup works to recycle possession and switch play to the wings. This trio works to compress the midfield and prevent the opponent from playing through the center.

The attack utilizes two forwards in a partnership to stretch the defense. Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic work together to occupy the two centre backs. Pavlidis acts as a pressing centre forward to trigger a press from the front, while Ivanovic looks to make runs in behind to exploit any gaps. The wing backs Dedic and Dahl provide the width, often looking to deliver early crosses into the box for the two strikers. The team builds the attack by playing out from the back or using direct passes to find the forwards.

SL Benfica gains a tactical advantage through the width provided by Dedic and Dahl, creating wide overloads when they overlap the midfielders. The formation also offers compactness when defending, making it difficult for opponents to find passing lanes through the middle. The speed of transition allows the team to move from a defensive block to an attacking phase very quickly.

This 5-3-2 formation provides a strong base for teams that want to defend deep and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against possession heavy sides where the team can soak up pressure and hit in behind on the transition.