Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Parsechián · L. Villarreal · Gardarián · Argüeso · J. Villarreal · Sica · Cisterna · Úbeda · Oudoukián · Maciel · Cincunegui

A heavy focus on counter attacking and vertical play defines this lineup, which operates in a 5-2-3. The team looks to absorb pressure before hitting the opposition with speed in transition. By sitting in a compact block, the team prepares to win the ball and quickly look to find the front three.

Parsechián stays between the posts to manage the defensive line. The defense uses a back five to cover a large area of the pitch. Sica sits in the middle as the central defender to command the area. Gardarián acts as a right centre back to cover the wide spaces, while Argüeso plays as the left centre back. L. Villarreal and J. Villarreal operate as attacking wing backs, pushing high to provide width and support the attack. This unit functions to squeeze the space between the lines and force the opponent to play wide.

The midfield is a double pivot that focuses on stability and recycling possession. Cisterna and Úbeda sit in front of the back five to shield the defence. Cisterna works to win the second ball and keep the play moving, while Úbeda helps to connect the defensive unit with the attacking players. These two midfielders must be disciplined to prevent the opposition from playing through the middle. They are responsible for dropping deep to help the centre backs when the team is under pressure.

The attack uses three players across the front to stretch the defence. Cincunegui acts as a pressing centre forward to lead the line and pin the last defender. On the flanks, Maciel plays as an inverted winger on the right to cut inside, while Oudoukián stays wide on the left to provide width. The movement from these three is designed to create runs in behind and isolate wide players in one on one situations. When the team wins the ball, they look to play through the lines to find Cincunegui or use the wide areas to whip it in.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads when L. Villarreal and J. Villarreal push up. This forces the opposition to account for more players in the final third. The team also finds strength in its compactness when defending, making it very hard for opponents to find gaps in the middle. The speed of transition allows the team to go direct and catch the opposition before they can get back into position.

This 5-2-3 formation is built to be a defensively solid unit that strikes with speed. It is best suited for games against teams that hold a lot of possession and leave space behind their high line.