Custom Team Football Formation

Creation DateDecember 25, 2025

Starting Lineup

Eriling Haaland (9) (Man City) · Lamine Yamal (10) (Barcelona) · Vinicious jnr (11) (Real Madrid) · Donnarumma (1) (Man City) · Pedri (8) (Barcelona) · Vigil van dik (2) (Liverpool) · Saliba (3) (Arsenal) · Cucurella (4) (Chelsea) · Rodri (6) (Man City) · Hakimi (5) (PSG) · Bruno Fernandes (7) (Man Utd)

Control and verticality define this lineup as it looks to dominate through a 5-2-3 formation. This team aims to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly transition to attack. By using a heavy pressing system, the team seeks to force errors in the opposition half to create immediate scoring chances.

Donnarumma guards the goal and acts as a presence during set pieces. The defensive line uses a back three consisting of Rodri, Virgil van Dijk, and Saliba. Virgil van Dijk uses his aerial strength and passing range to lead the unit, while Saliba stays tight to defend zonally. Rodri sits in the center to provide cover and sweep behind the line when needed. Hakimi acts as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, and Cucurella plays as a left wing back to support the flank. The whole unit stays compact to prevent through balls.

The midfield operates as a double pivot to connect the defense and the attack. Pedri works to recycle possession and find teammates in tight spaces, using his close control to move the ball forward. Bruno Fernandes plays as a creative engine who looks to break the line with direct passes. Both players are tasked to press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch. This pair must also track back to help the wing backs when the team loses possession.

The attack features three players across the front to stretch the defense. Vinicius jnr operates as an inverted winger on the left, using his dribbling style to cut inside and drive at the defense. Lamine Yamal stays wide on the right to isolate his marker and cross the ball. Erling Haaland acts as a powerful pressing centre-forward who pins the last defender and looks to run in behind. The front three combine in tight spaces to create chances through quick movement and one-two passes.

This formation offers great width through the wing backs and the wide forwards. The team can create wide overloads when Hakimi and Lamine Yamal push up the flank. Another strength is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, with the front three and midfield squeezing the space to win the ball back. The presence of Haaland allows the team to go direct when they need to bypass the midfield.

This 5-2-3 formation relies on high intensity and quick transitions to overwhelm opponents. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line and leave space behind their defenders.