Bayer Leverkusen Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Hradecký C (1) · Tah (4) · Tapsoba (12) · Grimaldo (20) · Wirtz (17) · Andrich (8) · Xhaka (15) · Frimpong (2) · Hložek (27) · Havertz (29) · Schick (14)

Bayer Leverkusen aims to dominate through high pressing and rapid verticality using a 3-4-3 formation. This lineup is built to squeeze the pitch and win the ball high up the pitch to catch opponents out of position. The team looks to control games by stretching the defence and creating constant threats in the wide areas and central channels.

Lukas Hradecky C acts as the foundation from the back, often playing short from the back to start attacks. The defensive unit employs a back three where Edmond Tapsoba plays as a wide centre-back to cover the flanks. Jonathan Tah sits in the middle of the line to win the header and provide physical presence, while Alejandro Grimaldo operates as a left wide centre-back who can step up into midfield. This trio works to hold the line and defend zonally to keep the team compact.

The midfield works as a central block with a deep-lying playmaker pairing to control the tempo. Granit Xhaka dictates the rhythm with his passing range and ability to recycle possession. Beside him, Emil Andrich provides the grit to shield the defence and win the second ball. This pair connects the back three to the attacking line, allowing the team to progress through the thirds. The width is provided by wing-backs Frimpong and Wirtz who push high to stretch the play.

Bayer Leverkusen uses three attackers to pin the last defender and create chaos. Patrik Schick acts as the lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of the striker. On the wings, Hložek and Havertz operate as inverted wingers who cut inside to create space for the wing-backs to overlap. They work to move between the lines and create runs in behind. This front three is designed to press from the front and force a long ball from the opposition.

One major strength of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves with the front three and wing-backs. Another advantage is the wide overloads created when Frimpong and Wirtz push forward to double up on the opposition full-backs. This creates constant passing lanes for the attackers to exploit in transition.

This 3-4-3 formation provides a high intensity setup that excels at dominating possession. It is best suited for matches against teams that sit deep and struggle to deal with wide overloads.