Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

MAIER (Sepp) (Bordeaux) · CARLOS (ALBERTO) (Botafogo) · SCHULZ (Willie) (Hamburg) · SHESTERNYOV (Albert) (CSKA Moscow) · NOVÁK (Ladislav) (Dukla Praha) · ROSSI (Néstor) (River) · VAN HANEGEM (Willem) (Feyenoord) · OVERATH (Wolfgang) (Köln) · HAMRIN (Kurt) (Milan) · CRUYFF (Johan) (Ajax) · DŽAJIĆ (Dragan) (Crvena zvezda)

Focusing on verticality and quick transitions, this team relies on a 5-2-3 formation to strike with speed. The lineup is built to catch opponents out of position by using wide areas to stretch the opposition and create space in the middle. Every player in this formation works to move the ball forward through the thirds as fast as possible once possession is regained.

Maier operates between the posts to command the area and manage the defense from the back. The defensive unit functions as a back five, with Rossi acting as the central anchor to hold the line and organize the unit. Schulz works as a right-sided center back to cover the space behind the wing back, while Shesternyov occupies the left-sided center back role. Carlos acts as an attacking wing back on the right to provide width, while Novák plays as the left wing back to support the flank. This unit defends zonally to maintain a compact shape and force the opposition into wide areas.

The midfield consists of a double pivot that must remain disciplined to avoid leaving the center of the pitch exposed. Van Hangenem and Overath operate in the middle, acting as the engine room to connect the defense and the attack. Van Hangenem works to win the second ball and recycle possession, while Overath looks to drive forward with the ball to break the line. These two must cover significant ground to shield the defense and ensure they do not get bypassed during transitions.

In the final third, the team utilizes three attackers to pin the opposition back line. Cruyff plays as a lone striker who can drop into midfield to link up play, using his legendary vision and dribbling style to create space. On the flanks, Hamrin acts as a right winger who looks to isolate defenders in one on one situations, while Džajić operates on the left as an inverted winger who cuts inside to shoot or pass. The front three press from the front to trigger a press and prevent the opponent from playing out from the back.

The main tactical advantages of this formation are the ability to create wide overloads and the strength of the defensive block. By using Carlos and Novák as wing backs, the team can quickly spread wide to switch play and find space. The presence of a central trio allows for immediate pressure on the ball, making the team very dangerous when they hit in behind on the transition.

This formation is designed for a team that wants to exploit space behind an advanced defensive line. It is best suited for matches where the opponent holds high possession but leaves gaps for a quick counter at pace.