Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

HELLSTROM (Roonie) (Pau) · VALVERDE (Federico) (Real Madrid) · PEZZEY (Bruno) (Real Madrid) · OLSEN (Morten) (Real Madrid) · GRIMALDO (Alejandro) (Real Madrid) · GONCALVES (Nestor) (Peñarol) · WIMMER (Herbert) (Peñarol) · DEYNA (Kazimierz) (Peñarol) · TEVEZ (Carlos) (Real Madrid) · GRIEZMANN (Antoine) (Real Madrid) · ELKJÆR LARSEN (Preben) (Real Madrid)

Seeking to dominate through heavy pressing and rapid transitions, this lineup operates within a 5-2-3 formation. The team aims to win the ball high up the pitch and use vertical passing to catch opponents before they can get organized. This setup prioritizes defensive solidity in a compact mid-block while providing immense width to stretch the opposition.

HELLSTROM stays between the posts to organize the back five. The defensive unit functions as a back three with GONCALVES acting as the central presence to sweep behind the line. PEZZEY and OLSEN operate as the left and right centre-backs, with PEZZEY covering the space left when the wing back pushes forward. VALVERDE and GRIMALDO act as attacking wing backs, tasked to provide width and deliver crosses into the box. This formation relies on the wide defenders to track back and form a five man defensive block when out of possession.

The midfield features a double pivot consisting of DEYNA and WIMMER. These two players must work in close proximity to compress the midfield and deny the turn of opposing playmakers. DEYNA drives forward with the ball to connect the defense to the attack, while WIMMER sits deeper to shield the back three and pick up runners. They must press in pairs to force a long ball from the opposition. The connection between this pair and the front three is vital to maintain control during the build up.

In the final third, the team utilizes three attackers across the front. GRIEZMANN acts as a pressing centre-forward, working to pin the last defender and harass the goalkeeper. ELKJÆR LARSEN and TEVEZ operate as wide wingers who hug the touchline to pull the defense apart. TEVEZ looks to cut inside to create space for VALVERDE to overlap, while ELKJÆR LARSEN seeks to hit in behind on the transition. The forwards press from the front to trigger a press from the entire team.

One major advantage is the ability to create wide overloads when GRIMALDO and VALVERDE push high. This forces the opposition to commit players wide, which can leave gaps in the middle for GRIEZMANN to exploit. Another strength is the compactness when defending, as the team can quickly drop into a low block to protect the lead. This setup allows for great speed of transition when the ball is won back.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for a team that wants to press aggressively and strike on the counter. It is best suited for games against opponents who play a high line and leave space behind their defenders.