Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Jonas Vermeer (Netherlands) · Deen Smit (Netherlands) · Jasper Nagel (Netherlands) · Oscar Montalvo (Spain) · Douglas Esteves (Brazil) · Kelwin Freitas (Brazil) · Nuno Martins (Portugal) · Paco Daruda (Spain) · Sven Reinhardt (Germany) · Shohei Nakamura (Japan) · Ahmed Diakité (France)

A high press and rapid transition game defines this lineup, which utilizes a 5-2-3 formation. This system is built to win it back high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opponent can settle. By spreading the width across the pitch, the team aims to stretch the defence and create space for runners to exploit in the final third.

Jonas Vermeer sits between the posts to command his area. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of Sven Reinhardt, Shohei Nakamura, and Oscar Montalvo. Reinhardt acts as the central anchor, while Nakamura and Montalvo cover the half spaces to defend zonally. Ahead of them, Ahmed Diakité and Douglas Esteves act as attacking wing backs, pushing high to provide width and support the attack. This formation allows the back three to hold the line while the wing backs push up to create overloads.

The midfield relies on a double pivot consisting of Jasper Nagel and Paco Daruda. These two players must work hard to control the center of the pitch and protect the back line. Nagel and Daruda are responsible for recycling possession and finding the attackers, often dropping deep to collect the ball from the defenders. They need to intercept passes and win the second ball to prevent the opposition from building play through the middle. Their role is to link the defence to the front line by carrying the ball forward and breaking the line with vertical passes.

In the attacking phase, the team employs three attackers across the front. Deen Smit operates as a lone striker, tasked to hold up the ball and lead the press from the front. On the flanks, Nuno Martins and Kelwin Freitas act as wide wingers who hug the touchline to maximize the pitch width. These wingers look to cut inside and drive at the defence or whip it in for the striker. The movements are designed to create runs in behind and allow the wing backs to overlap the winger, creating constant pressure on the opposition flanks.

One major strength of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads through the work of Ahmed Diakité and Douglas Esteves. By having the wingers spread wide, the team can pull the opposition defenders out of position. Another advantage is the compactness when defending in a mid-block, making it difficult for opponents to find space between the lines. The setup allows for quick transitions where the team can move from a deep defensive block to a dangerous attacking position in seconds.

This 5-2-3 lineup is designed for teams that want to dominate through verticality and width. It is best suited for facing opponents who play with a high line and can be punished on the transition.