Rennes Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Cresswell · Rouault · Merlin · Frankowski · Thomasson · Lepaul · Rongier · Szymanski · Al-Tamari · Mayenda · Samba

Rennes looks to dominate through a high press and quick transitions, operating within a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and move forward with extreme verticality. The goal is to squeeze the space in the opponent's half and use wide players to stretch the defence during attacks.

Samba plays behind a back five that provides both defensive depth and width. Rongier and Rouault act as the central defensive core, with Rongier often stepping into midfield to disrupt play. Cresswell sits as the left centre-back to provide cover and manage the space behind the wing-back. Frankowski operates as a right wing-back, looking to overlap the winger, while Merlin pushes up as an attacking wing-back on the left. This defensive unit works together to maintain a high line and keep the team compact when the ball is lost.

The midfield relies on a two-man engine room to connect the lines. Szymanski and Thomasson work as a central pairing that must cover large areas of the pitch. Szymanski acts as a carrier, driving forward with the ball to break the line, while Thomasson helps to shield the defence and win the second ball. They are tasked with pressing aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch, ensuring the team can transition from a mid-block into an attacking phase instantly.

In the final third, Rennes uses three attackers to pin the last defender. Lepaul acts as a pressing centre-forward, working to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Mayenda plays as a wide winger on the left, while Al-Tamari occupies the right side as an inverted winger who looks to cut inside and create chances. This front line focuses on running in behind the defence and making combinations in tight spaces to exploit any gaps left by the opposition.

Rennes gains a massive advantage through the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of three dedicated attackers allows the team to force long balls from the opposition, which the back five can easily clear. Additionally, the wide overloads provided by Frankowski and Merlin create constant pressure on the flanks, forcing the opposition to pull players out of position and leaving gaps in the middle for Szymanski or Thomasson to exploit.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a robust platform for high-intensity pressing and rapid counter attacks. It is best suited for games against teams that play with a high line and struggle to handle wide overloads.