Roma Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Koulierakis · Molina · Mancini · Balerdi · Castro · Malen · Dybala · Soulé · Cristante · Pellegrini · Svilar

Roma seeks to control the center of the pitch and win the ball high up the pitch using a 2-5-3. This formation is built to play with a heavy central presence, focusing on dominating the middle and using quick transitions to exploit spaces. The goal is to squeeze the space in the center while allowing the front three to stay high and pin the last defender.

Svilar operates between the posts to manage the defensive line. Behind the midfield, Balerdi and Mancini form a narrow back two that must be ready to step up and defend space behind the high press. Mancini provides physical strength and dominance in the air, while Balerdi acts as a ball playing defender to initiate play. This defensive unit relies on the midfield to block the runner and protect the narrow gap between the two centre backs.

The midfield functions as a massive engine room with five players working to control the game. Molina and Koulierakis form a double pivot to shield the defence and win the second ball. Pellegrini and Cristante operate as inverted eights to link the lines, with Cristante using his strength to protect the zone while Pellegrini looks to arrive late into the box. Dybala plays as an attacking ten behind the striker, looking to receive on the half-turn and play through the lines to the attackers.

Roma uses three attackers across the front to stretch the defence. Castro acts as a pressing centre-forward to force a long ball from the opposition, while Malen and Soulé operate as wide wingers who look to cut inside. Malen uses his pace to hit in behind on the transition, and Soulé looks to isolate a one-on-one wide. The attack is designed to create combinations in tight spaces and deliver early crosses into the box for Castro to find the feet of the striker.

This lineup offers significant numerical superiority in midfield, making it difficult for opponents to play through the center. The coordination of the five midfielders allows Roma to press in a mid-block or trigger a press high up the pitch with great intensity. By keeping the front three high, the team creates wide overloads when the wingers combine with the advanced midfielders.

The 2-5-3 formation is a bold way to dominate possession and hunt for the ball in the final third. This lineup is best suited for matches where the team needs to overwhelm a compact opponent through central dominance.