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)

Focusing on rapid transitions and high intensity, this team operates in a 5-2-3 formation. The lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opposition can settle. By using a heavy front line and aggressive wide players, the team seeks to overwhelm the opponent in transition and play through the lines with speed.

Yashin guards the goal as the last line of defense. The back five consists of Perfumo, Passarella, and Rijkaard acting as the central unit, while Hakimi and Facchetti operate as attacking wing backs. Perfumo and Passarella provide the physical presence in the middle, with Rijkaard acting as a ball playing defender to help play out from the back. Hakimi and Facchetti are tasked to push high and provide width, essentially turning the formation into a back three when the team has the ball. The unit defends zonally to maintain compactness and protect the central areas.

The midfield operates as a double pivot consisting of Sastre and Matthäus. Matthäus is known for his incredible stamina and aggressive pressing, which helps to squeeze the space in the center of the pitch. Sastre works to connect the defensive and attacking lines, often dropping to receive the ball and recycle possession. This pairing must be disciplined to cover the gaps left by the wing backs, ensuring they do not get caught out when the opposition breaks. They work to win the second ball and immediately look to find the forwards.

In the final third, the team uses three attackers to stretch the defence. Shevchenko acts as the pressing centre-forward, using his pace to run in behind the defensive line. Kvaratskhelia plays as an inverted winger on the left, looking to cut inside and create chances, while Mbappé occupies the right side with his explosive dribbling and ability to hit in behind on the transition. These three forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opponent. The movement is designed to create overlaps from the wing backs and isolate wide players in one on one situations.

One major advantage for this lineup is the ability to create wide overloads when Hakimi and Facchetti join the attack. This puts massive pressure on the opposition full backs. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the team can go direct to Mbappé or Kvaratskhelia the moment they win the ball. The combination of a solid back three and a high pressing front line allows for great control over the game tempo.

This 5-2-3 setup relies on verticality and high energy to punish mistakes. It is best suited for games against opponents who play a high line and struggle to deal with quick runners in behind.