SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1. Anatoliy Trubin (S. Soares / D. Ferreira)
17. Dedic (Bah / Kevin Pinto)
4. Antonio Silva (Tomàs Araújo)
30. Otamendi (G. Oliveira / J. Wynder)
26. Dahl (R. Obrador / J. Neto)
5. Enzo Barrenechea (Richard Rìos / Manu Silva)
8. Fredrik Aursnes (D. Prioste / T. Freitas)
18. Leandro Barreiro (João Veloso)
10. Sudakov (J. Rego / Gonçalo Moreira)
9. Franjo Ivanović
14. Vangelis Pavlidis (Henrique Araújo)

Seeking to dominate through a compact defensive block and quick vertical transitions, SL Benfica utilize a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup is built to control the central areas while allowing the wing backs to provide the necessary width during the attacking phase. The team relies on a solid base to absorb pressure before breaking lines quickly to find the forwards.

Anatoliy Trubin operates between the posts to command the area and sweep up long balls. The defense functions with a back three consisting of Otamendi, Enzo Barrenechea, and Antonio Silva. Otamendi provides significant aerial strength and leadership to the unit, while Antonio Silva acts as a ball playing defender to start moves from deep. Dedic and Dahl act as the wide outlets, providing width by pushing high up the pitch as wing backs. They must track back quickly to maintain a deep block when the team loses possession.

The midfield functions as a trio that connects the defense to the front line. Leandro Barreiro and Fredrik Aursnes occupy the central roles to control the tempo and press opponents in the middle third. They work to intercept passes and shield the three central defenders. Sudakov plays as the attacking ten, sitting just behind the two strikers to create chances and thread through balls. This midfield group must hold their positions to prevent the opposition from playing through the center.

In the attacking third, SL Benfica deploy two forwards to stretch the opposition. Franjo Ivanović and Vangelis Pavlidis work together as a dual strike force, often looking to run behind the defense or hold up the ball to bring others into play. The movements of Pavlidis and Ivanović create space for Sudakov to exploit the pockets between the lines. When the team moves into the final third, the width comes from the runs of Dedic and Dahl to provide crosses into the box.

One major advantage for Benfica is the ability to create numerical superiority in the middle of the pitch when the wing backs push up. The three central midfielders can easily overwhelm a standard two man midfield. Another strength is the compactness of the unit, which makes it difficult for opponents to find space between the lines. The speed of transition from a deep defensive position to an attacking one allows the team to catch opponents out of position.

This 5-3-2 formation offers a reliable way to stay defensively solid while remaining a threat on the counter. It is best suited for matches against teams that dominate possession and leave space behind their defensive line.