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) · Sudakov (J. Rego / Gonçalo Moreira) · Dodi Lukebakio (G. Prestianni) · Ivan Lima (Bruma / A. Schjelderup) · Pavlidis (F. Ivanovic / H. Araújo)

A heavy emphasis on high pressing and rapid verticality defines SL Benfica as they deploy a 4-2-4. This lineup is built to pin opponents back in their own half and force turnovers through aggressive ball hunting. By using four attackers, the club aims to overwhelm defensive lines and strike quickly before the opposition can regroup.

Trubin stands between the posts to organize the defensive line. The back four consists of Dedic at right back and R. Obrador at left back, while Antonio Silva and Tomàs Araújo occupy the center. Antonio Silva acts as a ball playing defender with high recovery speed, whereas Tomàs Araújo provides physical presence in the air. Dedic and R. Obrador are tasked to push high and provide width, while the two central defenders must step up to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield operates as a double pivot to provide a base for the attack. Richard Ríos and Fredrik Aursnes work together to shield the defense and win back possession. Richard Ríos uses his ball carrying ability to drive forward, while Fredrik Aursnes connects the play by switching the field and breaking the line with vertical passes. These two midfielders must track back quickly to cover the space left behind by the attacking full backs.

In the final third, the attack utilizes two central forwards alongside two wide attackers. Sudakov and Pavlidis operate as the central duo, where Pavlidis acts to hold up the ball and Sudakov looks to find pockets of space. Dodi Lukebakio and Ivan Lima play as wide wingers, looking to cut inside or deliver crosses from the flanks. This front line is designed to press high in unison to prevent the opponent from building from the back.

SL Benfica gains a significant advantage through numerical superiority in the attacking zone. The presence of four players close to the opposition goal creates constant pressure and forces defenders into mistakes. Additionally, the ability of Dedic and R. Obrador to overlap creates wide overloads that isolate the opposition full backs in one on one situations. This setup forces the opponent to defend a massive amount of territory.

This aggressive 4-2-4 formation relies on intense pressing and quick transitions to dominate games. It is best suited for facing teams that struggle to play out from a high press or teams that play with a low block.