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

Focusing on high intensity and directness, SL Benfica utilizes a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to play a vertical game that relies on winning the ball high up the pitch and moving forward with pace. The team relies on a high press and quick transitions to catch opponents out of position. By using a wide attacking front, the players seek to stretch the defence and create space in the middle.

Trubin stands between the posts to command the area and protect the goal. The defensive unit functions as a back five that can shift between a high line and a mid block. Otamendi and Richard Ríos hold the centre, with Otamendi using his aerial strength to clear the lines and win the second ball. Antonio Silva operates as a ball playing defender who can step into midfield to help with possession. Dedic and Dahl act as attacking wing backs, tasked to overlap the winger and provide width in the final third.

The midfield operates as a double pivot that connects the defensive and attacking lines. Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro occupy the central spaces to control the tempo and provide cover. Aursnes often carries the ball forward to break the line, while Barreiro stays closer to the central defenders to shield the defence. They must work in pairs to press the opposition and win the ball back high up the pitch. This duo is vital for recycling possession and ensuring the team stays compact when the opposition has the ball.

In the attacking phase, Pavlidis leads the line as a pressing centre forward to pin the last defender. He is flanked by Dodi Lukebakio and Andreas Schjelderup, who provide the main width. Lukebakio tends to stay wide to pull defenders out of position, while Schjelderup looks to cut inside and find space between the lines. The team attacks in combinations, often looking to play one two passes to move through the thirds. The wing backs push up to support the front three, creating numerical superiority in wide areas.

One major strength of this Benfica formation is the ability to create wide overloads. When Dedic or Dahl push forward, they force the opposition to double up, which creates space for the wingers to exploit. The team also excels at hitting in behind on the transition, using the speed of the front three to punish a high line. Furthermore, the presence of three central defenders ensures the team stays very solid when they have to drop into a low block.

This 5-2-3 formation is designed for a team that wants to combine defensive stability with rapid, vertical attacking bursts. It is most effective when facing opponents who play with a high defensive line and can be exploited in wide areas.