Custom Team Football Formation

Starting Lineup

E. MORABITO 07 (SX) · 3 DI BELLA 03 (175 DX) · 69 AMANTE 02 (185 DX) · 5 ZINGALES (182 DX) · 6 VECCHIO 03 (173 DX) · 17 GENTILESCA 96 (174 SX) · 8 CERRA 97 (SX) · 14 PORTOVENERO 96 (DX) · 10 RANDO 03 (180 DX) · 19 PALMIERI 06 (DX) · 7 CAFARELLA 01 (DX)

Focusing on a high press and rapid transitions, this team operates with a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opponent can settle. The system relies on heavy verticality to exploit spaces left behind by advancing opposition lines, using the width provided by the wing backs to stretch the game.

E. Morabito sits between the posts to anchor the defensive unit. The back line consists of a narrow defensive block featuring Gentiellesca as the central defender, with Zingales and Amante acting as the wide centre-backs. Zingales and Amante provide cover to ensure the middle stays compact, while Di Bella and Vecchio act as attacking wing backs to provide width. Di Bella pushes high to support the right flank, whereas Vecchio overlaps to create chances from the left. Gentiellesca stays deep to sweep behind the line and win headers, ensuring the defense remains solid when playing out from the back.

The midfield functions as a double pivot to control the central zone. Cerra and Portovenero work together to shield the defense and recycle possession when needed. Cerra acts as the link between the defense and the attack, while Portovenero is tasked to press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch. This pairing must stay compact to deny the turn to opposition attackers, often dropping into a mid-block to prevent being bypassed by long balls. They are responsible for finding the feet of the striker and moving the ball into the final third.

In the attacking third, the team uses three attackers across the front to pin the last defender. Rando leads the line as a pressing centre-forward, constantly looking to run in behind the opposition defense. Cafarella and Palmieri play as wide wingers who hug the touchline to pull the opposition wide, creating space for the midfielders to arrive late into the box. Cafarella cuts inside to create overloads in the half-spaces, while Palmieri looks to get to the byline and deliver early crosses. This combination allows the team to attack in combinations, using Rando to hold up the ball for the runners.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages through its defensive compactness and wide overloads. By using five defenders, the team is very difficult to break down centrally, forcing opponents to the flanks. The attacking wing backs, Di Bella and Vecchio, create numerical superiority in wide areas when they overlap the wingers. Furthermore, the ability to press in coordinated waves from the front three and the double pivot makes it hard for opponents to build play from the back.

The 5-2-3 lineup is a powerful tool for teams that want to punish opponents on the break. It is best suited for matches against sides that commit many players forward and leave large spaces behind their defensive line.