Besiktas Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Nübel* (Almedar*) · R. Yilmaz (Özcan) · Topçu (Uduokhai[Sanuç]) · Agbadou (Djaló[Bulut]) · Murillo (Pérez*) · Ndidi (Özcan[Onana*]) · Hadziahmetovic* (Al Musrati[K. Yilmaz]) · Kökcü (Cerny[Ricardo*]) · Trossard* (Olaïtan[Fakili*]) · Salah* (Keles*[Rashica]) · Oh (Kiliçsoy[Hekimoglu])

A high press and rapid transitions define the way Besiktas look to play in this 4-5-1 formation. The lineup focuses on squeezing the space in the middle of the pitch to force mistakes and win the ball back high up the pitch. This setup is built to exploit gaps left by opponents who push too many men forward, using a compact block to stifle any central progression.

Nübel stays between the posts to organize the defensive line and sweep behind a high line when the team pushes up. The back four functions as a unit that looks to stay narrow, with Murillo playing as an attacking full back on the right to provide width. Agbadou and Topçu operate as the central pair, where Agbadou acts as a ball playing defender while Topçu uses his aerial strength to defend set pieces and crosses. On the left, R. Yilmaz covers the flank and tracks back to assist the midfield when the team loses possession.

The midfield is a five man unit that relies on a double pivot to provide stability. Hadziahmetovic (C) sits in the defensive role to shield the back four, while Ndidi works alongside him to press aggressively and win the second ball. Ahead of them, Salah (C) and Kökcü act as the engine, with Salah looking to drive forward with the ball and Kökcü looking to play through the lines with his passing range. Trossard (C) operates in the left half space, looking to receive on the half-turn and link the midfield to the lone striker.

Besiktas uses a lone striker in Oh to lead the line and press the opposition back line. Oh must hold up the ball to allow the attacking midfielders to join the play, often making runs in behind to stretch the defence. The wide areas are occupied by Trossard and the overlapping runs from R. Yilmaz, creating chances to deliver early crosses or cut it back from the byline. The team attacks in combinations, looking to use the movement of the five midfielders to overwhelm the opponent in transition.

A major strength of this Besiktas formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for opponents to build from the back. The presence of Ndidi and Hadziahmetovic provides numerical superiority in midfield, which allows the team to dominate the central zone. This creates many opportunities to win the ball back in dangerous areas and launch immediate attacks.

This 4-5-1 lineup is built for a team that wants to control the tempo through high intensity and central dominance. It is best suited for games against possession based sides where the team can exploit the space behind the opposition full backs.