Besiktas Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Nübel · Agbadou · Djalo · Quattara · Murillo · Salih · Orkun · Martin Ødegaard · Trossard · Salah · Vlahovic

Besiktas looks to win the ball high up the pitch and strike through rapid transitions using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to play a vertical game, focusing on catching the opposition out of position through quick movement. The team aims to stay compact when out of possession and then break quickly as soon as they regain control.

Nübel stays in goal to command the area and organize the defensive unit. The back line functions as a back three with Salih, Agbadou, and Djalo. Salih plays as a central defender to win the header and clear the lines, while Agbadou and Djalo provide cover in the channels. Quattara and Murillo act as attacking wing backs to provide the necessary width. Murillo can push up to overlap the winger, while Quattara works to support the midfield and squeeze the space. This defensive unit works to keep the opposition forced wide.

The midfield consists of Orkun and Martin Ødegaard working as a pair to link the defense and attack. Ødegaard uses his passing range to break the line and find the forwards, while Orkun works to shield the defense and win the second ball. Orkun often drops deeper to protect the three center backs, allowing Ødegaard to carry the ball forward and play through the lines. This duo ensures the team can transition from a defensive block to an attacking formation effectively.

Up front, the team utilizes three attackers in Trossard, Salah, and Vlahovic. Salah plays as an inverted winger on the right, using his speed and dribbling to cut inside and attack the far post. Trossard stays wide on the left to stretch the defense and provide options for the wing backs. Vlahovic operates as a pressing centre-forward to pin the last defender and hold up the ball. The front three look to attack in combinations, often looking to hit in behind on the transition or isolate a one-on-one.

One major strength of this Besiktas lineup is the ability to create wide overloads. When Murillo and Quattara move forward, they create numerical superiority against the opposing full backs. The team also benefits from a high speed of transition, as the front three are always ready to run into space. This formation allows for coordinated pressing waves that can trigger a press in the opponent's half.

This 5-2-3 formation creates a very tough defensive block that is hard to break down. It is best suited for matches against teams that want to control possession, allowing Besiktas to sit deep and counter at pace.