Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

YASHIN (Lev (1)) (Russia) · HAKIMI (Archaf (2)) (PSG) · PERFUMO (Roberto (4)) (Cruzeiro) · PASSARELLA (Daniel (6)) (River) · FACCHETTI (Giacinto (3)) (Inter) · RIJKAARD (Frank (5)) (Milan) · MATTHÄUS (Lothar (8)) (Inter) · SASTRE (Antonio (10)) (Independiente) · SHEVCHENKO (Andriy (9)) (Milan) · KVARATSKHELIA (Kvicha (11)) (PSG) · MBAPPÉ (Kilyan (7)) (PSG)

A high press and rapid transition style defines this lineup, which operates in a 5-2-3 formation. This team looks to win the ball high up the pitch and quickly exploit the space behind the opposition back line. By using a heavy attacking front three, the team aims to stretch the defence and create constant chaos during the attacking phase.

Yashin stays between the posts to act as the last line of defence. The defensive unit sits in a back five, using a central trio of Rijkaard, Passarella, and Perfumo to hold the line. Rijkaard provides stability in the middle, while Passarella and Perfumo cover the channels and win headers. Facchetti and Hakimi play as attacking wing backs, pushing high to provide width and overlap the attackers. This system relies on the wing backs to track back quickly when the team loses possession to maintain a compact defensive block.

The midfield functions as a double pivot with Sastre and Matthäus controlling the centre. Matthäus is known for his immense work rate and ability to drive forward with the ball, while Sastre connects the defensive line to the front three. These two must press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch and prevent the opponent from playing through the lines. They serve as the engine room, with Matthäus often making late runs into the box to support the attack while Sastre sits deeper to protect the centre backs.

The attacking trio consists of three attackers across the front line. Shevchenko acts as a clinical pressing centre-forward who leads the way, looking to find the feet of his teammates or run in behind. On the flanks, Mbappé and Kvaratskhelia act as inverted wingers who cut inside to threaten the goal. Mbappé uses his explosive pace to stretch the defence, while Kvaratskhelia looks to combine in tight spaces. This front three forces the opposition to defend deep, often resulting in cutbacks from the byline or through balls into the channels.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of Hakimi and Facchetti creates wide overloads that force the opposition to pull defenders out of position. Additionally, the team benefits from extreme speed of transition, as the front three and the mobile midfielders can break quickly once the ball is won.

This 5-2-3 lineup is built for aggressive, vertical football that punishes teams sitting in a low block. It is best suited for matches where the team can exploit large amounts of space on the counter at pace.