SL Benfica Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Trubin (S. Soares / D. Ferreira) · Alexander Bah (Daniel Banjaque) · Alessandro Circati (T. Araújo / J. Fonseca) · Gabriel ĺndio (C. Lenglet / J. Wander) · Souffian EI Karouani (J. Neto / S. Dahl) · Enzo Barrenechia (J. Palhinha / Manu Silva) · Dodi Lukebakio (M. Figueiredo / T Freitas) · Claudio Echeverri (Gonçalo Moreiro / Sudakov) · Gianluca Prestianni (J. Kamiński / Schjelderup) · Jhon Durán (A. Saidi / A. Cabral) · Vangelis Pavlidis (R. Silva / O. Edokpolor)

SL Benfica focus on a direct and vertical style of play using a 5-3-2 formation. This lineup aims to sit deep to absorb pressure before hitting the opposition with speed in transition. The team looks to use the width provided by the wing backs to stretch the play before finding the two strikers in behind the defensive line.

Trubin acts as the last line of defence behind a narrow defensive block. The back five consists of Enzo Barrenechia acting as the central anchor, with Alessandro Circati and Gabriel Índio operating as the wide centre-backs to cover the channels. Alexander Bah and Souffian El Karouani function as attacking wing backs, tasked with providing all the width in the final third. While the three central defenders defend zonally, the wing backs must track back to ensure the team holds a compact shape when the opposition has the ball.

The midfield operates as a three man midfield with a carrier. Claudio Echeverri sits in the pivot role to shield the defence and recycle possession. Gianluca Prestianni and Dodi Lukebakio operate in the half spaces, with the task to win the second ball and drive forward with the ball. Echeverri works to connect the defensive and attacking lines by playing short from the back, while Prestianni and Lukebakio look to carry the ball into the advanced areas to support the forwards.

In the attacking third, SL Benfica utilize two forwards in a partnership. Jhon Durán and Vangelis Pavlidis lead the line as a mobile duo. They work together to press the opposition back line and look to receive the ball in the channels. The formation is designed to create runs in behind, often utilizing the delivery from Alexander Bah or Souffian El Karouani to find the strikers. These two forwards combine in tight spaces to pull defenders out of position and create gaps for the midfielders to arrive late into the box.

One major advantage of this lineup is the ability to create wide overloads when the wing backs push high. This movement forces the opposition to stretch their defensive unit. Additionally, the presence of three central defenders allows for high levels of compactness when defending deep. The combination of the three midfielders and the two strikers allows for a quick break quickly once the ball is recovered in the middle third.

This 5-3-2 formation provides a solid base for a team that wants to defend deep and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against dominant sides where the team needs to deny space in the middle and rely on clinical finishing.