Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Koulierakis · Hermoso · Balerdi · Molina · Dybala · Cristante · Pellegrini · Malen · Castro · Soulé · Svilar

Roma aims to control games through high intensity and heavy central presence using a 2-5-3 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball back high up the pitch and using a massive midfield to dominate the center of the field. The team looks to play a vertical style of football that looks to break the line as quickly as possible once the ball is recovered.

Svilar plays behind a very aggressive back two that requires constant communication. Hermoso and Balerdi act as the central defenders in a narrow defensive block that relies on them being able to step up and intercept passes. Because there are only two defenders, they must be ready to cover wide spaces if the midfield does not squeeze the space effectively. They often play out from the back to find the midfielders, but they must be careful to defend against long balls that go in behind.

The midfield is the engine of this Roma lineup, operating as a five man unit. Molina and Koulierakis work as a double pivot to shield the defense and win the second ball. Cristante and Pellegrini act as inverted eights who carry the ball forward and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Dybala operates as an attacking ten in the hole, looking to receive on the half-turn and split the defense with a through ball. This group is designed to compress the midfield and make it very difficult for opponents to play through the center.

In the attacking third, the team utilizes three attackers across the front to stretch the defense. Soulé and Malen act as wide wingers who aim to isolate a one on one situation on the flanks. Malen often looks to cut inside to create space for the fullbacks to overlap, while Soulé stays wide to provide width. Castro leads the line as a pressing centre forward, working to pin the last defender and make runs in behind. The aim is to use combinations in tight spaces to create openings for Dybala to exploit.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages through numerical superiority in midfield. By packing the central area, Roma can easily recycle possession and control the tempo of the game. The team also benefits from the ability to press high in coordinated waves, using the front three and the attacking midfielders to trigger a press. This creates many chances to win the ball high up the pitch and attack a disorganized defense.

Roma uses this high risk lineup to suffocate opponents who try to build play through the middle. It is a setup best suited for games where the team needs to dominate possession and force the opposition into mistakes.