RB Salzburg Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Terzic · Rasmussen · Gadou · Lainer · Ratkov · Vertessen · Kitano · Bidstrup · Gourna-Douath · Kjærgaard · Schlager

RB Salzburg aims to play with a high press and quick transitions using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup relies on verticality to catch opponents out of position before they can settle. The team wants to win the ball high up the pitch and move it forward immediately to the front three.

Schlager stands between the posts to command the area and start attacks with his distribution. The defensive unit uses a back three of Gourna-Douath, Gadou, and Rasmussen to maintain compactness. Gourna-Douath acts as the central anchor to intercept passes, while Gadou and Rasmussen cover the spaces behind the wing backs. Lainer and Terzic occupy the wide areas as wing backs to provide both width in attack and extra protection when the team sits deep. They must track back quickly to prevent crosses when the ball is lost.

The midfield works as a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. Bidstrup and Kjærgaard are tasked with breaking the lines through their passing and running. Bidstrup helps to shield the back three by sitting closer to the defenders, while Kjærgaard uses his engine to drive forward and connect the defense to the attack. This duo must press hard to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.

In the final third, the attacking trio stays high to stretch the opposition. Ratkov acts as the lone striker to hold up the ball and battle with central defenders. Vertessen and Kitano operate as wide attackers who look to cut inside or stretch the play. The movements of Vertessen and Kitano create space for the midfielders to push up and join the attack. They also lead the first wave of the press to force mistakes in the opponent's defensive half.

RB Salzburg gains a major advantage through their ability to press high in coordinated waves. This creates pressure that forces turnovers in dangerous areas. The formation also offers wide overloads when Lainer and Terzic overlap the attackers, making it difficult for defenders to mark everyone. This ability to shift between a deep block and a high line makes them hard to break down.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for aggressive, high tempo football. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under intense pressure.