Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

O.Dembélé (PSG) · Kvaratskhelia (PSG) · Benzema 21-22 (Real Madrid) · Griezmann (Atlético) · Firmino (Liverpool) · Alaba (FC Bayern) · Walker (Man City) · Stones (Man City) · Neuer (Man City) · Gvardiol (Man City) · De Jong (Ajax)

The team aims to remain defensively solid and win the ball back through a compact mid-block using a 5-4-1. This formation is built to soak up pressure and strike on the transition. By sitting deep, the lineup creates a wall that is difficult to penetrate, waiting for the right moment to launch attacks through the wide areas or the lone striker.

Manuel Neuer guards the goal and acts as a sweeper behind the line. The back five consists of Gvardiol, Alaba, Walker, Stones, and De Jong. Walker and Alaba act as attacking wing backs to provide width, while Gvardiol, Stones, and De Jong form a central trio. Stones and De Jong focus on defending zonally, with Stones using his strength to win the header and De Jong to cover space. The unit stays tight to squeeze the space between the lines and force the opposition to play wide.

A four man midfield sits ahead of the defense to protect the central zones. Firmino and Griezmann operate as two central midfielders who must track back to help the defense and press in a mid-block. Firmino works to win the second ball and connects the lines, while Griezmann looks to receive on the half-turn to drive the team forward. O.Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia occupy the wide roles, tasked with tracking the opposition full backs and finding ways to carry the ball forward during transitions.

The attacking system relies on Benzema as a lone striker. Benzema acts as a target man who can hold up the ball to allow the midfield to move up the pitch. He works to pin the last defender and create space for late runs from Griezmann or Firmino. The attack is built through quick transitions where Kvaratskhelia and O.Dembélé look to exploit space behind the opponent back line. The wingers often pull wide to stretch the defence, looking to deliver early crosses into the box.

This formation offers great compactness when defending a lead. The numerical superiority in the back line makes it very hard for opponents to find gaps in the center. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the team can quickly move from a deep block to an attacking phase using the pace of O.Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia.

The team uses this 5-4-1 to frustrate possession based sides that struggle to break down a deep block. This lineup is best suited for matches where the goal is to sit deep and hit the opponent on the break.