Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

... (Auxerre) · CARLOS (ALBERTO) (Brazil) · SCHULZ (Willie) (Germany) · OVERATH (Wolfgang) (Germany) · NOVAK (Ladislav) (Czechia) · SHESTERNYOV (Albert) (Russia) · ROSSI (Nestor) (Argentina) · MAZZOLA (Valentino) (Italy) · HAMRIN (Kurt) (Sweden) · CRUYFF (Johan) (Netherlands) · DJAZIC (Dragan) (Serbia)

A heavy emphasis on attacking transitions and width defines this lineup in a 5-2-3. The team looks to use the wings to stretch the opposition while keeping a compact block when out of possession. This formation is built to play with high intensity, using the front three to win the ball back high up the pitch and immediately look to hit in behind on the transition.

In goal, ... acts as the last line of defense. The defensive unit operates with a back five that provides both stability and width. Rossi sits as the central defender to anchor the line, supported by Shesternyov and Schulz who cover the half spaces. Novak and Carlos act as attacking wing backs, pushing high to provide width and cross the ball, while also tracking back to defend the flanks. This defensive block can sit deep or step up to squeeze the space between the lines.

The midfield consists of a two man unit featuring Mazzola and Overath. They play as a double pivot to shield the defense and recycle possession. Mazzola works to connect the defensive and attacking lines, while Overath looks to carry the ball forward and find the feet of the striker. They must work hard to cover the central zones and deny the turn to opposition midfielders, ensuring the team remains compact when the wing backs are pushed high.

Up front, the team utilizes three attackers to pin the last defender. Cruyff operates as a center forward who often drops into midfield to create link up play between the lines. He is supported by Djazic and Hamrin, who act as wide wingers. Djazic and Hamrin often cut inside to create central presence or stay wide to isolate a one on one wide situation against full backs. The front three press from the front to force a long ball and win the second ball.

The primary tactical advantages of this formation are the ability to create wide overloads from the overlapping wing backs and the capacity to strike quickly on the break. Because Novak and Carlos push so high, the team can often overwhelm the opposition flanks. Additionally, the presence of Cruyff allows for numerical superiority in the midfield when he drops deep to link with Mazzola and Overath.

This formation relies on high energy to maintain the press and cover the spaces left by the advancing wing backs. It is best suited for matches where the team can exploit large spaces behind an advancing opposition defense.