Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

MAIER (Sepp) (Angola) · CARLOS (ALBERTO) (Botafogo) · STANKOVIC (Branko) (Crvena zvezda) · SCHULZ (Willie) (Hamburg) · SHESTERNYOV (Albert) (CSKA Moscow) · ROSSI (Nestor) (River) · VAN HANEGEM (Willem) (Feyenoord) · OVERATH (Wolfgang) (Köln) · CRUYFF (Johan) (Ajax) · HAMRIN (Kurt) (Milan) · DZAJIC (Dragan) (Crvena zvezda)

Heavy pressure and quick verticality define this lineup in a 5-2-3. This formation is built to win it back high up the pitch and hit in behind on the transition. The goal is to squeeze the space in the opponent half and use wide players to stretch the defence through rapid attacks.

MAIER sits between the posts to command the area. The back five functions as a narrow defensive block to protect the center. ROSSI acts as the central anchor, while SCHULZ and SHESTERNYOV operate as the wide centre-backs to cover the channels. STANKOVO and CARLOS act as attacking wing backs who provide the width, pushing high to overlap the winger when the team has the ball. This defensive unit stays compact to prevent play through the lines.

A double pivot controls the central area. VAN HANEGEM and OVERATH work to protect the center and recycle possession when needed. VAN HANEGEM focuses on screening the defense, while OVERATH looks to carry the ball forward and link the defensive and attacking lines. These two midfielders must be disciplined to prevent being bypassed by direct play, ensuring they pick up runners and cover the space left by the advancing wing backs.

The attack relies on three players to pin the last defender. CRUYFF operates as a pressing centre-forward, using his famous movement and vision to drop into spaces and link up with the wide men. HAMRIN and DZAJIC act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create overloads in the half spaces. This movement allows the wing backs to get to the byline and deliver crosses. The front three press from the front to force a long ball and win the second ball.

This formation offers significant strength through wide overloads as STANKOVO and CARLOS push forward to create two on one situations against opposition full backs. Another advantage is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, with the front three and the midfield pressing in pairs to trigger a press. The presence of ROSSI, SCHULZ, and SHESTERNYOV provides a solid base to defend against counter attacks.

The 5-2-3 formation relies on high intensity to dominate the opposition through vertical transitions. It is best suited for games against teams that play a high line or struggle to defend wide areas under pressure.