PSG Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Chevalier · Pacho · Marquinhos · Hakimi · Mendes · Vitinha · Neves · Zaïre-Emery · Dembélé · Akliouche · Doué

Paris Saint-Germain wants to play with a high press and verticality using a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike quickly through the middle or wide areas. The team aims to use width and speed to stretch the defence and create chances in the final third.

Chevalier guards the goal while the defenders maintain a back five. Vitinha sits in the middle as a central defender to anchor the unit, alongside Marquinhos, who is dominant in the air, and Pacho. Hakimi operates as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width and push high up the pitch. Mendes plays the same role on the left, acting as an attacking wing back to help the attack. This unit works to stay compact and can shift into a narrow defensive block when needed.

The midfield consists of a double pivot with Neves and Zaïre-Emery. Neves works to shield the defence and recycle possession from deep to maintain control. Zaïre-Emery uses his driving runs to carry the ball forward and connect the defensive and attacking lines. This pair must press aggressively to win the ball high and ensure they do not allow the opposition to play through the lines.

Up front, PSG uses three attackers to press the opposition back line. Dembélé leads the line as a pressing centre-forward to win the second ball and hold up the ball for others. Doué and Akliouche play as wide attackers who cut inside to threaten the goal. Akliouche looks to play through the lines or cross from wide areas, while the wingers work to isolate defenders in one on one situations. The attack relies on the wing backs to overlap the winger to create constant pressure.

One tactical advantage for PSG is the wide overloads created by the overlapping runs of Hakimi and Mendes. These runs help to pin the last defender and allow the central players more room to operate. Another strength is the speed of transition, which allows the team to hit in behind on the transition immediately after winning possession.

This 5-2-3 formation is built for a high intensity game that relies on wing play and quick movement. It is best suited for facing teams that play a high line and struggle to track runners in the wide areas.