France National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Mbappe · Olise · Dembele · Cherki · Rabiot · Tchouameni · T. Hernandez · Kounde · Saliba · Upamecano · Maignan

Les Bleus focus on a high press and lightning fast transitions within a 5-2-3 formation. This formation is built to use the pace of the forwards to hit in behind on the transition. The team seeks to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly move it to the front three.

Maignan stands between the posts to sweep behind a high line when necessary. The defensive unit operates as a back five. Tchouameni holds the center while Saliba and Upamecano provide cover. Saliba uses his positional awareness to intercept passes and cover his teammates. Tchouameni acts as a dominant presence to win the second ball. Kounde and T. Hernandez function as attacking wing backs. Kounde pushes high to overlap the winger and provide width. T. Hernandez uses his extreme pace to carry the ball forward and whip it in from the flank.

A two-man midfield of Rabiot and Cherki controls the central zone. Rabiot plays a defensive role to shield the defence and press in a mid-block. He works to pick up runners and protect the central defenders. Cherki acts as the carrier to drive forward with the ball and connect the lines. He looks to play through the lines and find the feet of the striker. This pair must work hard to squeeze the space when the opposition has possession.

The front line features three attackers in a direct line. Dembele leads the press from the front as a pressing centre-forward. He uses his dribbling to hold up the ball and lay it off to teammates. Olise stays wide to stretch the defence and create space for others. Mbappe plays on the left as an inverted winger who will cut inside to use his explosive speed and dribbling. The attack works to move in combinations to break the line. They aim to isolate wide players in one on one situations.

One advantage of this France lineup is the speed of transition. The team can move from a mid-block to an attacking wave in seconds. Another strength is the ability to create wide overloads using the wing backs. When Kounde and T. Hernandez push high, they create numerical superiority against the opposition full backs. This allows the team to spread wide and switch play effectively.

The 5-2-3 formation allows France to remain compact when defending while remaining lethal on the break. This formation is best suited for games against teams that play with a high line and leave space behind.