Bayer Leverkusen Football Formation

Starting Lineup

WIRTZ · CHERKI · ALVAREZ · LUNIN · KOSSOUNOU · DIOMANDÉ · GAVI · AMAD D. · GRAVENBERCH · VAN DE VEN · YILMAZ

A high pressing identity defines Bayer Leverkusen as they deploy a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup aims to control games through intense pressure and verticality. The team looks to win the ball high up the pitch to create immediate scoring chances. By pushing the lines forward, Leverkusen forces opponents into mistakes in their own half.

LUNIN acts as the last line of defense in goal. The back three consists of DIOMANDÉ, KOSSOUNOU, and VAN DE VEN. VAN DE VEN covers the left side with his recovery speed, while KOSSOUNOU holds the central position to organize the defense. DIOMANDÉ sits on the right to provide stability. This defensive unit maintains a high line to compress the space between the lines and keep the game in the opposition territory.

The midfield works in a four man block to control the center and the flanks. GAVI and GRAVENBERCH occupy the central roles, with GAVI known for his pressing intensity and work rate. GRAVENBERCH drives forward to link the defense to the attack. On the wings, AMAD D. and YILMAZ provide the width. These wide players must track back to help the back three while also looking to push up and support the front three.

In the attacking third, the team operates with three forwards. WIRTZ leads the line as a striker, moving between positions to pull defenders out of place. CHERKI and ALVAREZ play on the flanks as wide attackers. CHERKI likes to cut inside to create chances, while ALVAREZ uses his movement to find pockets of space. This front line presses the opposition backline relentlessly to prevent them from playing out from the back.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. The wide players, AMAD D. and YILMAZ, allow the team to create wide overloads when they overlap the midfield. Bayer Leverkusen can also quickly switch play to isolate CHERKI or ALVAREZ in one on one situations. This combination of central strength and wide presence makes the lineup very difficult to track during transitions.

A high pressing 3-4-3 creates constant pressure on the ball carrier. This setup is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from a low block.