Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

1 PATERNITI 89 (181 SX) · 6 BONTEMPO 89 (182 SX) · SACCA' 99 (DX) · 5 BAREZ 92 (181 DX) · 4 SCOLARO 94 (AMBIDX) · 10 LUCARELLI 94 (168 SX) · 9 CASTROVINCI 09 (DX) · 11 PONTINI 04 (SX) · 8 BIONDO 91 (DX) · 3 CONTI 01 (DX) · 7 NOTO 07 (DX)

Prioritizing defensive stability and rapid transitions, this team operates in a 5-2-3 formation. The lineup is built to sit deep and absorb pressure before hitting the opposition in behind. By maintaining a compact block, the side looks to exploit spaces left by attacking opponents through quick vertical movements.

Paterniti guards the goal, acting as the last line of defense within a five man backline. Barez sits central as the anchor, while Sacca' and Bontempo provide support as the wider center backs to cover the channels. The team uses a back three that can shift depending on the position of the ball. Conti and Noto act as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing width and pushing high up the pitch to support the attack. This defensive unit works to keep the distance between the lines small, making it difficult for opponents to play through the middle.

The midfield relies on a double pivot consisting of Biondo and Scolaro. These two players are responsible for sitting in front of the defense to shield the back three and intercept passes. Biondo and Scolaro must work to win the second ball and immediately look to progress the ball into the attacking third. They serve as the link between the defensive unit and the front three, often dropping deep to receive the ball from the center backs to help play out from the back.

Up front, the team utilizes three attackers to stretch the opposition. Castrovinci operates as a lone striker, tasked with holding up the ball and pinning the last defender. On the flanks, Pontini and Lucarelli act as wide wingers who look to cut inside or deliver crosses from the wide areas. The front three are expected to press the opposition back line to force long balls and prevent the opponent from building comfortably from the back. This setup creates many chances for runs in behind and allows for quick combinations in the final third.

One major advantage of this lineup is the ability to create wide overloads when Conti and Noto push forward. This forces the opposition to defend large areas of the pitch. Additionally, the formation offers great compactness when defending in a low block, making it very hard to break down through the center. The speed of transition allows the team to move from a defensive posture to an attacking one in seconds.

This 5-2-3 formation is designed for a team that wants to defend deep and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against dominant sides where controlling the ball is difficult.