Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

YASHIN (c) (Lev) (Bologna) · HAKIMI (Archaf) (PSG) · PIRLO (Andrea) (Juventus) · RIJKAARD (Frank) (Milan) · MATTHÄUS (Lothar) (Inter) · SHEVCHENKO (Andriy) (Milan) · FACCHETTI (Giacinto) (Inter) · PASSARELLA (Daniel) (River) · SASTRE (Antonio) (Independiente) · MBAPPÉ (Kylian) (PSG) · PERFUMO (Roberto) (Cruzeiro)

Focusing on verticality and rapid transitions, this team utilizes a 5-3-2 formation to control space and strike with speed. The lineup is built to sit in a mid-block and strike the opposition on the break through runners in behind. By utilizing a back three, the team can maintain a compact shape while providing enough numbers to support attacks when the ball is won high up the pitch.

YASHIN (c), the captain, commands the area from goal to organize the defensive unit. The back line functions as a three man defensive block with PIRLO acting as a ball playing centre back to start the build up. PASSARELLA works as a covering defender to sweep up long balls, while PERFUMO provides strength in the middle of the defense. On the flanks, HAKIMI acts as an attacking wing back to provide width, and FACCHETTI uses his pace to overlap the wingers and cover the wide areas.

The midfield relies on a three man midfield with a carrier to move the team forward. RIJKAARD acts as a deep lying playmaker to recycle possession and switch play, while MATTHÄUS provides a high pressing intensity to win the second ball. SASTRE operates as an attacking ten behind the strikers to connect the lines and find pockets of space between the opposition midfield and defense. This group works to compress the midfield and prevent the opponent from playing through the lines.

In the final third, the team uses two forwards in a partnership to stretch the defense. MBAPPÉ acts as a pressing centre forward to force a long ball from the opposition, while SHEVCHENKO looks to find space for runs in behind or link up play between the lines. The presence of HAKIMI and FACCHETTI allows the attackers to stay central, creating chances for cutbacks from the byline or through balls to split the defense. The attack relies on the speed of transition to catch opponents out of position.

One major advantage of this lineup is the ability to create wide overloads through the wing backs. When HAKIMI and FACCHETTI push forward, they create numerical superiority against the opposing full backs, allowing SASTRE to find space in the half spaces. Another strength is the compactness when defending, as the five defenders and three midfielders can quickly shift to block the runner and deny the turn.

This 5-3-2 formation offers a solid base for a team that wants to control the game through defensive stability and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for facing teams that play with a high line and leave space behind their defenders.