SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Samu Soares (D. Ferreira / A. Trubin) · Daniel Banjaque (Alexander Bah) · Tomàs Araújo (A. Circati / G ĺndío) · Clement Lenglet (J. Wander / J. Fonseca) · Jose Neto (S. Karouani / S. Dahl) · João Palhinha (E. Barrenechia / R. Rìos) · Gianluca Prestianni (D. Lukebakio / T. Gouveia) · Gonçalo Moreira (H. Sudakov / J. Rego) · Andreas Schjelderup (J. Kamiński / J. Umeh) · Jhon Durán (A. Cabral / A. Saidi) · Vangelis Pavlidis (F. Silva / O. Edokpolor)

SL Benfica aims to play a heavy counter attacking game using a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup focuses on keeping the team compact and sitting deep to soak up pressure before hitting opponents on the transition. The system is built to absorb heavy spells of possession and then release the forwards quickly into open space.

Samu Soares stands between the posts to oversee the defensive unit. The back line operates as a back five where João Palhinha and Tomàs Araújo act as the central defenders to hold the line and win headers. Clement Lenglet provides cover as the wide centre back in this three man block. Jose Neto and Daniel Banjaque operate as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing width and tracking back to defend the flanks. The whole unit works to keep the distance between the lines small and force the opposition to play wide.

The midfield features a three man midfield with a carrier and creative elements. Gianluca Prestianni and Andreas Schjelderup operate in the central areas to press and win the second ball. Gonçalo Moreira plays as an attacking ten behind the strikers, looking to connect the midfield to the front line. This group must squeeze the space between the defense and the attack to prevent opponents from playing through the lines. They focus on recycling possession and finding quick passes to break the first line of the opposition press.

The attack relies on two forwards in a partnership to stretch the opposition. Jhon Durán and Vangelis Pavlidis work together as the main goal threats, often looking to run in behind the defenders. They operate as a mobile duo, with one player often looking to hold up the ball while the other searches for space. The wing backs, Jose Neto and Daniel Banjaque, push high to provide width, allowing the forwards to move inside and find pockets of space. This movement is designed to create cutbacks from the byline or isolate defenders in one on one situations.

One major advantage for SL Benfica is the ability to defend in a narrow defensive block that is very hard to penetrate centrally. The width provided by the wing backs allows the team to transition from a five man defense to a more attacking lineup quickly. This setup also creates numerical superiority in the defensive third when the team sits deep against dominant sides.

This 5-3-2 formation creates a very solid defensive base that is perfect for absorbing pressure. It is best suited for matches against teams that control possession and leave space behind their high line.