SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Trubin (S. Soares / D. Ferreira) · Dedic (Bah / L. Santos) · Antonio Silva (G. Oliveira / J. Wynder) · Tomàs Araújo (N. Otamendi) · R. Obrador (Dahl) · 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)

SL Benfica utilizes a 5-2-3 to prioritize defensive stability and rapid transitions. This lineup is designed to play a vertical style of football that relies on winning the ball and hitting the opposition quickly. The goal is to remain compact and use the width of the pitch to stretch the opponent.

Trubin operates as the goalkeeper to organize the defensive unit. The back line forms a back five with Richard Ríos sitting in the middle to cover the central zone. Antonio Silva and Tomàs Araújo act as the side centre-backs to play out from the back and win headers. Dedic and R. Obrador play as attacking wing backs to provide width and overlap the front line. This unit works together to defend zonally and ensure the space behind is covered.

The midfield functions as a double pivot with Leandro Barreiro and Fredrik Aursnes. These two work to shield the defence and win the second ball in the middle. Leandro Barreiro stays deeper to protect the central area, while Fredrik Aursnes is able to carry the ball forward to connect the lines. They must press in a mid-block to prevent the opposition from playing through the lines.

Up front, the team uses three attackers. Pavlidis acts as the central striker to hold up the ball and link play. Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio operate as wide attackers who look to cut inside and create a central presence. The movement of the front three is designed to stretch the defence and create runs in behind. When the ball is won, the wingers and Pavlidis look to break quickly to catch the opposition out of position.

The formation offers significant advantages in terms of defensive compactness and width. The presence of Richard Ríos, Antonio Silva, and Tomàs Araújo ensures Benfica can defend zonally and cover the box effectively. Additionally, the ability of Dedic and R. Obrador to push high provides wide overloads that force the opposition to defend the flanks.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for a team that wants to be hard to beat and strike on the break. It is most effective against opponents that control possession but struggle with speed in transition.