Hoffenheim Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Hoffenheim plays with a high press and quick transition identity using a 3-4-3. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and attack the opposition quickly. The team looks to play a vertical game that stretches the defence and creates chances through rapid movement.

Baumann acts as the goalkeeper to command his area. The defensive unit operates with a back three made up of Hranac, Hajdari, and Kabak. Kabak and Hajdari act as wide centre-backs to cover the spaces behind the midfielders, while Hranac plays centrally to win headers and clear the lines. They often set the offside trap by playing a high line to squeeze the space. When defending in a low block, the three defenders stay compact to deny the turn to opposition strikers.

The midfield works to link the defence and the attack. Avdullahu and Burger operate in the center to control the middle. The former is tasked to carry the ball forward and drive into the half-spaces, while Burger works to win the second ball and recycle possession. Prass and Wimmer provide the width from the wide midfielder positions. On the left, Prass pushes up to support the attack, while Wimmer moves on the right. They must track back to support the back three and prevent crosses from the flanks.

The attacking unit uses three forwards to pin the last defender. Asllani plays as the lone striker, looking to hold up the ball and find the feet of the midfielders. B. Touré plays on the left as an inverted winger who likes to cut inside into the box. Kramaric plays on the right and uses his technical ability, movement between the lines, and set piece delivery to threaten the goal. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball and create turnovers. They look to combine in tight spaces and deliver cutbacks from the byline to arriving runners.

One major advantage for Hoffenheim is the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The front three and the wide midfielders work together to win it back high up the pitch. Such pressure creates many chances to break quickly. The formation also allows for wide overloads when the wingers and wide midfielders push up together. This forces the opposition to defend wide areas and creates space in the middle for Avdullahu and Burger to exploit.

This 3-4-3 formation is an aggressive lineup meant for high-intensity football. It is best suited for matches against teams that prefer to play out from the back, allowing Hoffenheim to exploit the space through a high press.