Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

PREUD’HOMME (Michel) (Belgium) · HAPGOOD (Eddie) (England) · PASSARELLA (Daniel) (Argentina) · MAICON (Brazil) · McGRAIN (Danny) (Scotland) · MONTI (Luis) (Argentina) · TONINHO (CEREZO) (Brazil) · FALCÃO (Paulo R.) (Brazil) · ZICO (Brazil) · CARECA (Brazil) · VAN BASTEN (Marco) (Netherlands)

Prioritizing defensive solidity and quick transitions, this lineup uses a 5-3-2 formation to control space. The team focuses on staying compact and waiting for the moment to hit in behind on the transition. This system is built to absorb pressure before using vertical passing to catch the opposition off guard.

PREUD’HOMME stays between the posts to organize the defensive unit. The back line functions as a back three with MONTI acting as the central anchor to sweep behind the high line. To his sides, PASSARELLA and HAPGOOD operate as wide centre-backs to cover the channels and win the header when crosses come in. McGRAIN and MAICON play as attacking wing backs to provide width, with MAICON often looking to carry the ball forward to support the attack. The whole defensive block moves together to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield operates as a three-man midfield with a carrier and a playmaker. TONINHO and FALCÃO work to compress the midfield and win the second ball to prevent opposition breakthroughs. ZICO plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, finding the pockets of space to create chances. ZICO uses his legendary passing range to split the defence with a through ball when the forwards make their runs. This trio connects the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession and finding the feet of the midfielders.

The attack features two forwards in a partnership. CARECA and VAN BASTEN operate as a highly mobile duo that can press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. VAN BASTEN uses his clinical finishing to arrive late into the box, while CARECA works to hold up the ball and lay it off to oncoming runners. This attacking front is designed to create runs in behind and isolate wide players in one on one situations through quick combination play.

One main advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads from overlapping wing backs like MAICON and McGRAIN. The team also benefits from high levels of compactness when defending in a mid-block. This makes it very difficult for opponents to find space between the lines or through the middle.

This formation relies on a strong defensive block and lethal counter attacks. It is best suited for facing teams that dominate possession but leave gaps behind their defensive line.