Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Ozyakup (Besiktas) · Erkin (Besiktas) · Vida (Dynamo Kyiv) · Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kyiv) · Ederson (SL Benfica) · Grimaldo (SL Benfica) · Jovič (SL Benfica) · Jorginho (Napoli) · Mertens (Napoli) · Dragovič (Dynamo Kyiv) · Insigne (Napoli)

A high press and heavy possession based identity drives this team, which operates in a 4-3-3 formation. The goal is to dominate territory by keeping the ball and winning it back high up the pitch immediately after losing it. This lineup is built to control the tempo through technical superiority and vertical passing.

Ederson acts as the starting point for building play from the back, using his famous passing range to find teammates. The back line consists of a flat back four where Grimaldo functions as an attacking full back on the right to provide width. On the left, Dragovič stays more disciplined to protect the flank. In the center, Vida is dominant in the air and provides physical presence, while Erkin acts as a ball playing defender to help move the ball into the middle third. This unit works to squeeze the space and keep the defensive line high.

The midfield functions as a three-man midfield with a deep-lying playmaker pairing supported by a carrier. Jorginho sits in the left central role to shield the defence and recycle possession. Ozyakup works as the engine to connect the defensive and attacking lines, often carrying the ball forward. Mertens plays as the more advanced midfielder to press aggressively and win the ball high up the pitch. This trio works to compress the midfield and deny the opposition time on the ball.

In the attacking third, the team uses three attackers across the front. Insigne plays as a false nine who drops into midfield to pull defenders out of position and create space. Jovič and Yarmolenko act as wide wingers who cut inside to threaten the goal. Jovič looks to exploit the half-spaces, while Yarmolenko aims to isolate the opposition full back in one on one situations. This front three works to press the opposition back line and create runs in behind through quick combinations.

One major advantage of this lineup is the ability to create wide overloads from the overlapping runs of Grimaldo and the cutting movements of the wingers. The team also benefits from numerical superiority in midfield when Jorginho and Ozyakup control the central zones. This allows the team to maintain high possession and force the opponent into a low block.

This formation relies on high intensity and technical passing to dominate games. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.