Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Focusing on rapid transitions and wide attacking presence, this lineup utilizes a 5-2-3 formation. The team aims to play direct and vertical football to exploit spaces behind the opposition back line. By using a heavy presence in the final third, they look to catch opponents out of position.

Schrijvers sits between the posts to organize the defensive unit. The team sits in a back five, with Schoenaker acting as the central anchor of the line. Rijkaard occupies the right centre back spot to provide cover, while Ophof plays as the left centre back to maintain a compact defensive block. Silooy and Boeve operate as attacking wing backs, tasked with spreading the width of the pitch and pushing high up the flanks. This allows the central trio to drop deep and defend zonally when under pressure.

The midfield functions as a double pivot to control the center of the pitch. Lerby and Cruyff work to connect the defense to the attack, with Cruyff often looking to drive forward with the ball into the half spaces. Lerby stays a bit deeper to shield the defense and win the second ball when possession is lost. This two man unit must be disciplined to ensure they do not get caught out during transitions, especially when the wing backs push up.

In the attacking third, the team employs three attackers to stretch the opposition. Kieft acts as the lone striker, holding up the ball to bring others into play and pinning the last defender. Olsen and Van't Schip operate as wide wingers, with Olsen cutting inside to create space for Boeve to overlap. Van't Schip stays wide to pull the defender out of position and look to deliver crosses into the box. This front three presses from the front to force a long ball from the opponent.

The formation offers significant width through the overlapping runs of Silooy and Boeve, which creates overloads on the flanks. Another strength is the ability to hit in behind on the transition once the midfield wins the ball back high up the pitch. Having three players ahead of the ball allows for quick combinations in tight spaces to break the line of the opposing defense.

This 5-2-3 formation relies on high energy from the wing backs and clinical movement from the front three. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line and can be exploited with speed on the counter.