SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

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

SL Benfica aims to play a highly vertical style of football with a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup is built to attack with intensity and use heavy pressure to win the ball back in high areas. The goal is to stretch the opposition defense by pushing many players forward and creating immediate threats in the final third.

Trubin guards the goal as the lone goalkeeper. The defensive unit works as a flat back four. Antonio Silva acts as a ball playing defender on the right side while Tomàs Araújo covers the left. Dedic operates as the right back to provide support, while R. Obrador plays as the left back. The defenders must stay disciplined to prevent being caught out on the break, with Antonio Silva often stepping up to intercept passes and Tomàs Araújo covering the space behind him.

The midfield relies on a double pivot to manage the center of the pitch. Richard Ríos and Fredrik Aursnes are tasked with controlling the tempo and linking the defensive line to the attack. Richard Ríos works to shield the defense and win the second ball, while Fredrik Aursnes helps to carry the ball forward and connect the play. This duo must be prepared to cover large amounts of ground to prevent the opposition from bypassing the midfield.

In the attacking phase, SL Benfica utilizes a front four to pin the last defender. Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic work as two forwards in a partnership, combining to hold up the ball and link up play between the lines. Ivan Lima and Dodi Lukebakio provide width as wide wingers who look to cut inside and create chances. The attackers press from the front to force a long ball and create turnovers close to the opponent goal.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when the full backs push forward to support the wingers. The team also benefits from its ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it very difficult for the opposition to play out from the back. This creates many opportunities to hit in behind on the transition.

The 4-2-4 formation is a high risk, high reward system centered on aggressive attacking movements. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to break down a deep defensive block through constant pressure.