SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Trubin (S. Soares / D. Ferreira) · Dedic (Bah / L. Santos) · Tomàs Araújo (Antonio Silva) · Otamendi (G. Oliveira / J. Wynder) · Dahl (R. Obrador) · Enzo Barrenechea (Richard Ríos / Manu Silva) · Fredrik Aursnes (D. Prioste) · Leandro Barreiro (J. Veloso) · Dodi Lukebakio (G. Prestianni) · Andreas Schjelderup (Bruma) · Pavlidis (F. Ivanovic / H. Araújo)

SL Benfica aims to play with high intensity and directness using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and hit the opposition on the transition. The team looks to use the width of the pitch to stretch the opposition before moving the ball quickly toward the goal.

Trubin sits between the posts to command his area and act as the first point of distribution. The defensive unit functions as a back three with Enzo Barrenechea, Otamendi, and Tomàs Araújo working in close proximity to defend zonally. Otamendi provides leadership and aerial strength to defend the middle, while Enzo Barrenechea acts as a covering defender to sweep behind the line. Dedic plays as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, while Dahl operates as an attacking wing back on the left. This formation allows the defenders to stay compact and defend a mid-block when the opposition has the ball.

The midfield relies on a two man central unit consisting of Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro. These two players act as the engine room to connect the defense and the attack. Fredrik Aursnes works to carry the ball forward and press aggressively to win the ball high, while Leandro Barreiro focuses on shielding the defense and recycling possession. They must work hard to compress the midfield and ensure the gaps between the lines are not exploited by the opposition.

In the attacking phase, SL Benfica utilizes three attackers across the front. Pavlidis acts as the central striker, working to find the feet of the striker and hold up the ball for others. Andreas Schjelderup plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside and create chances, while Dodi Lukebakio operates on the right to stretch the defense and look for runs in behind. The attacking unit is designed to create width through the wing backs and then focus on combination play in the final third.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads by using the wing backs to overlap the wingers. This creates constant pressure on the opposition full backs. The team also benefits from the compactness when defending, as the five defenders and two midfielders can sit deep and force a long ball. This allows the team to be dangerous in transition when they win the second ball.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a strong balance between defensive solidity and rapid attacking transitions. It is best suited for games where the team needs to absorb pressure and exploit space behind a high defensive line.