SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Trubin · Di Maria · Tomás (Araújo) · Otamendi · Bah · Akturkoglu · Florentino (Luis) · Pavlidis · Carreras · Aursnes · Kokçu

SL Benfica aims to control games through a high press and quick transitions using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to dominate wide areas while maintaining a strong presence in the central zones. The club looks to squeeze opponents in their own half and win the ball back quickly to launch direct attacks.

Trubin stays between the posts to organize the back line and sweep up long balls. The defensive unit relies on a back three consisting of Otamendi, Florentino, and Tomás to provide stability. Otamendi uses his aerial strength and experience to lead the line and cover space. The wing backs, Bah on the right and Carreras on the left, push high up the pitch to provide width. These wide defenders must track back quickly to prevent crosses when the team loses possession.

The midfield operates as a double pivot to connect the defense to the front line. Aursnes and Kokçu work to occupy the central spaces and break the lines with vertical passes. Aursnes uses his passing range to switch play across the pitch, while Kokçu helps to shield the defense and press opponents in the middle. This duo must stay compact to prevent the opposition from playing through the center.

In the attacking third, the team utilizes three forwards to stretch the opposition. Pavlidis acts as the lone striker to hold up the ball and bring others into play. Di Maria operates on the right wing, often cutting inside to create chances with his signature set piece delivery and vision. Akturkoglu stays wide on the left to provide service into the box, creating movements that force defenders to pull out of position.

This formation offers several tactical advantages for SL Benfica. The wide players create overloads on the flanks when Bah and Carreras overlap the wingers. The central trio of Otamendi, Florentino, and Tomás makes the team very hard to break down in the air and in central areas. This setup also allows the team to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for opponents to build play from the back.

The 5-2-3 formation provides a balance between defensive solidity and attacking width. It is a lineup best suited for facing teams that play with narrow midfields or those that struggle to cope with intense pressure on the flanks.