Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Roma aims to dominate through a heavy high press and aggressive verticality using a 2-5-3 formation. This lineup is built to overwhelm opponents in the final third by squeezing the space high up the pitch. By committing numbers forward, the team seeks to win the ball back quickly and strike before the opposition can organize.

Svilar acts as the lone man behind the defensive line, often acting as a sweeper to cover the space behind the defenders. The back line consists of a two man unit with Balerdi and Mancini acting as central defenders. Mancini is known for his aggressive defending and physical presence, while Balerdi provides cover. Because there are only two defenders, they must hold a high line to keep the team compact, requiring them to read the game well to intercept long balls.

The midfield is a dense block designed to control the center of the pitch. Koulierakis and Molina function as a double pivot to shield the two central defenders. Koulierakis provides stability while Molina helps to recycle possession. In front of them, Cristante and Pellegrini operate as two eights who connect the lines. Cristante works to win the second ball and drive the team forward, whereas Pellegrini looks to create chances and arrive late into the box. Dybala operates as an attacking ten behind the striker, finding pockets of space to play through the lines and link with the forwards.

The attacking front line uses three attackers to stretch the opposition. Malen and Soulé act as wide wingers, with Malen cutting inside from the left and Soulé looking to isolate his marker on the right. Castro plays as a lone pressing centre forward to pin the last defender and lead the hunt for the ball. This formation creates many opportunities for one on one situations out wide and relies on quick combinations to penetrate the box. The goal is to use the width of the pitch to pull defenders apart and create gaps for Dybala or the runners from midfield.

Roma possesses several tactical advantages with this setup. The heavy presence in the middle creates numerical superiority in the central zones, making it difficult for opponents to play through the center. The team can also press in coordinated waves, with the front three and the attacking midfielder triggering a press that the midfielders quickly join. This high intensity makes it very hard for the opposition to build play from the back.

This 2-5-3 formation is a high risk, high reward system that relies on intense pressing and quick transitions. It is best suited for matches where Roma needs to dominate possession and break down a team that sits deep in a low block.