Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Lete · Fernández · Kumagai · León · Pattinson · Kennedy · Van de Donk · Putellas · Cascarino · Goodwin · Godfrey

A high press and rapid transition game defines this lineup in a 5-2-3. This formation aims to win the ball back high up the pitch and hit the opposition in behind through quick vertical movements. The team looks to control much of the game by squeezing the space in the opponent half and using wide areas to stretch the defence.

Lete acts as the last line of defence in goal. The defensive unit operates with a back five that includes Kennedy as the central figure to anchor the middle. León and Kumagai sit on either side of Kennedy as the wide centre backs, ready to cover the space when the wing backs push up. Kennedy provides height and strength to win the header during set pieces. Pattinson and Fernández operate as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing width and stretching the play. Pattinson and Fernández must track back quickly to maintain the back five when the team loses possession.

The midfield relies on a two man midfield pairing to connect the defensive line to the front three. Putellas and Van de Donk work as the engine room, with Putellas often acting as the player who carries the ball forward to drive the team through the thirds. Putellas is known for her technical ability and passing range. Van de Donk works to protect the space in front of the back five and press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch. These two players must be ready to receive on the half-turn to break the line of the opposition midfield.

The attack features three forwards working in close combination to pin the last defender. Goodwin operates as a lone striker, focusing on hold up the ball and finding the feet of the attacking midfielders. Cascarino and Godfrey play as wide wingers, with Cascarino and Godfrey looking to cut inside into the half spaces to create central threats. The front three press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This setup creates many runs in behind and allows the wing backs to overlap the winger to deliver crosses into the box.

One major strength is the ability to create wide overloads from the overlapping wing backs. When Fernández and Pattinson push high, they create numerical superiority against the opposing full backs. Another advantage is the compactness when defending in a mid-block, making it very difficult for opponents to play through the middle. The team can also transition quickly, using the speed of Cascarino and Godfrey to catch the opposition out of position.

This 5-2-3 formation is designed for a high intensity game where the team seeks to dominate through pressing. It is best suited for matches against opponents who struggle to play out from the back under pressure.