Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Prass (Hoffenheim) · Danso (Sunderland) · Lienhart (Freiburg) · Laimer (FC Bayern) · Baumgartner (RB Leipzig) · Schlager (Nottm Forest) · Seiwald (RB Leipzig) · Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) · R. Schmid (Frosinone) · Wanner (PSV) · Schlager (Werder Bremen)

Focusing on a high press and quick transitions, this team operates in a 5-4-1 formation. The lineup is built to sit in a mid-block before winning the ball back high up the pitch to catch the opposition out of position. Every player in this system must work to squeeze the space between the lines and ensure the team can transition from a compact block to a vertical attack in seconds.

Baumgartner stays between the posts to organize the defense. The back line consists of a back three featuring Sabitzer, Schlager, and Seiwald. Sabitzer acts as a ball playing defender to start attacks, while Schlager and Seiwald focus on being dominant in the air and covering the space behind the wing backs. R. Schmid operates as an attacking wing back on the right, and Wanner acts as an attacking wing back on the left to provide width. This unit functions as a narrow defensive block when out of possession to deny central passing lanes.

The midfield utilizes a double pivot to protect the center of the pitch. Laimer and Prass form this duo, with Laimer working to press aggressively to win the ball high and Prass acting to shield the defense. Ahead of them, Lienhart and Danso operate in the half spaces as two tens. Lienhart drives forward with the ball to carry it into the final third, while Danso looks to connect the defensive and attacking lines. This midfield group works to compress the midfield and deny the opponent time on the ball.

In the attacking phase, the team relies on a lone striker, Schlager, to lead the line. Schlager acts as a pressing centre-forward to disrupt the opposition back line and win the second ball. The attack is built through the wide areas when R. Schmid and Wanner push up to support the play. When the team wins the ball, they look to hit in behind on the transition, using Lienhart and Danso to play through the lines. This creates opportunities for Schlager to receive the ball and link up play with the advancing wing backs.

This formation offers a significant advantage through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By using the front four to trigger a press, the team can force a long ball from the opposition. Another strength is the compactness when defending, which makes it very difficult for opponents to find gaps in the central zone. The tactical flexibility allows the team to shift into a back five to stay solid or expand into a wide attacking lineup.

This 5-4-1 setup is designed for a team that wants to be defensively solid while hitting on the break. It is best suited for matches against possession heavy opponents where the goal is to frustrate them and strike quickly in transition.