SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Samuel Soares (A. Trubin / D. Ferreira) · Daniel Banjaque (Alexander Bah) · Tomás Araùjo (A. Circati / J. Fonseca) · Clement Lenglet (G. Índio / J. Wander) · Souffian EI. Karouani (J. Neto / S. Dahl) · Enzo Barrenechia (J. Palhinha / Manu Silva) · Leandro Barreiro (D Prioste / J. Veloso) · Claudio Echeverri (Gonçalo Moreira / Sudakov) · Gianluca Prestiani (J. Kamiński / J. Umeh) · Jhon Durán (A. Cabral / A. Saidi) · Vangelis Pavlidis (R. Silva / O. Edokpolor)

SL Benfica prioritizes a high press and quick transitions through a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup is built to sit in a mid-block before squeezing the space to win the ball high up the pitch. The team looks to strike fast once they regain control, using the width provided by the wing backs to stretch the defense.

Samuel Soares guards the goal as the defensive unit organizes. The back line operates as a back three consisting of Enzo Barrenechia, Clement Lenglet, and Tomás Araùjo. Araùjo and Lenglet act as the central defenders, where Lenglet uses his reading of the game to cover space. Daniel Banjaque and Souffian El Karouani act as attacking wing backs, pushing high to provide width. This allows the central trio to maintain a compact shape and defend zonally when the team drops into a mid-block.

The midfield functions as a three-man midfield with a carrier. Claudio Echeverri sits in the single pivot role to shield the defense and recycle possession. Ahead of him, Leandro Barreiro and Gianluca Prestiani occupy the central spaces to connect the lines. Barreiro works to drive forward with the ball, while Prestiani looks to find the feet of the strikers. This group works to press in pairs to force a long ball from the opposition.

SL Benfica employs two forwards in a partnership to lead the attack. Jhon Durán and Vangelis Pavlidis act as the primary threats, often playing as a pressing centre-forward duo to disrupt the opposition back line. They work in combinations to create runs in behind or to hold up the ball for late arrivals. When the wing backs move forward, Pavlidis and Durán can pull wide to isolate defenders in one on one situations or stay central to attack the near post.

One major strength of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads from the overlapping wing backs. By having Daniel Banjaque and Souffian El Karouani push up, the team can pin the last defender and create space in the half spaces. Another advantage is the compactness when defending, as the five defenders and three midfielders can quickly shift to deny the turn and close down passing lanes.

This 5-3-2 formation provides a solid foundation for a team that wants to exploit the space behind an advanced opponent. It is best suited for matches where the opposition dominates possession and requires a strong defensive block to launch counter attacks at pace.