Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1 ZUMMO (185 DX)
2 CIRAFICI 07 (183 DX)
5 RAIA (185 DX)
3 ROMEO (184 DX)
9 BALISTRERI
7 FONTANA
4 SCALISI MATTIA
8 D'ACQUISTO 06
11 RIBAUDO 07
10 LO COCO
6 ROTOLO 07

A focus on defensive solidity and rapid verticality defines this lineup, which operates in a 5-2-3 formation. The team aims to absorb pressure before hitting the opposition on the transition to catch them out of position. This setup is designed to play a direct style of football that relies on winning the second ball and utilizing wide areas to stretch the pitch during attacks.

In goal, Zummo acts as the last line of defense to sweep up any danger. The defensive unit sits in a narrow defensive block with a back three of Raia, Scalisi Mattia, and Romeo. Raia operates as the right centre-back to cover the wide space, while Romeo provides cover on the left. Scalisi Mattia sits central to dominate in the air and organize the line. Cirafici and Rotolo act as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing width and tracking back to form a five when the team defends deep.

The midfield utilizes a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. D'Acquisto and Ribaudo work together to shield the defense and recycle possession when the team plays out from the back. D'Acquisto looks to drive forward with the ball to break the line, while Ribaudo sits deeper to intercept passes and connect the defensive and attacking lines. This pairing must stay compact to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle.

Up front, the team uses three attackers to pin the last defender. Balistreri acts as a pressing centre-forward, looking to find the feet of the striker or run in behind the defense. Fontana and Lo Coco play as wide wingers who hug the touchline to create width. This allows for quick combinations where the wingers can cut inside and deliver early crosses or whip it in for Balistreri to attack the near post.

One major strength is the ability to create wide overloads as Cirafici and Rotolo push high to overlap the winger. The formation also offers great compactness when defending in a low block, making it very hard for opponents to find gaps between the lines. This setup allows the team to shift quickly from a defensive five to an attacking five, catching many teams during the transition.

This 5-2-3 formation is built to sit deep and hit opponents with pace on the break. It is best suited for matches against teams that dominate possession and leave space behind their high line.