I am a massive fan of attacking soccer, and I always have been. Watching teams go for it in fast-paced, high-intensity games is the main reason I became a soccer fan.
When I was a kid and hadn’t gotten the hang of how the game worked, I often judged teams by the formation.
Whenever I saw teams play in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations, I thought they were playing attacking soccer. It was only later that I realized I couldn’t be more wrong.
While 5-3-2 appears to be a defensive tactic on paper, it’s so much more than that. Let’s take a look at this dynamic system and unpack what it’s all about.
What is a 5-3-2 Formation in Soccer?
A 5-3-2 formation is a system that is well known for its defensive solidity largely due to the number of players on the defensive line.
Teams that play this system will have a numerical advantage over their opponents. This is because the opposition is likely to play with a two or a three across the frontline.
The configuration of the midfielders varies from team to team but all three midfielders will try to support the defence and attack.
With two strikers up front, one forward can drop deep to hold up the ball while the other can run the channels.
Tactical Analysis of 5-3-2 formation
When you break down the formation, it is easier to understand why this system works so well.
Defensive Strengths
The notion that the 5-3-2 is the most defensive formation may be seen as short-sighted, especially in the modern game, but it doesn’t make it a wrong assessment of the system.
The major defensive strength of this formation is its ability to create a solid defensive block of five defenders and three midfielders.
If need be, one of the five defenders (mainly one of the three center-backs) will step up to help with defensive actions in midfield.
Another advantage of this formation is its numerical superiority in defense. As most attacking teams play with a front three or front two, the 5-3-2 formation will always have the numerical advantage even when the opposition puts more players forward.
Pushing players forward to make up the numbers against a 5-3-2 formation is not a bad tactic but it is a dangerous one. If you do this, you run the risk of being too open and having a defense that will be exposed on the counter.
Due to the 5-3-2’s heavy central presence, some teams would try to beat them out wide, but this formation has that covered too. The wingback is protected by the wide center half and/or the midfielder on that side.
This also makes it easier for the wingback to allow opposition full-backs to run beyond them as they know that they have a wide center-back behind them to engage the overlapping player.
This makes penetration from the flanks difficult.
Offensive Strategies
One of the best qualities of this system is width. Width in this system is provided by the wing-backs as they work as a combination of a winger and a fullback.
They bomb forward to offer width, and they drag the opposition’s defenders as wide as possible, leaving space for midfield players to make runs from deep.
In the 5-3-2, the midfield will have support from other areas depending on the system played. Some teams create overloads in midfield by moving a central defender into midfield during the possession phase.
Some other teams create overloads in the midfield by dropping a striker deep into midfield.
When transitioning from defense to attack, the 5-3-2 allows for effective fastbreaks. Because of how solid this defense can be in a deep block, teams may be forced to attack with too many numbers and won’t have enough players to cover in transition.
With the wingbacks, midfielders, and two strikers, they can commit enough bodies forward for quick transitions in high numbers and hurt teams on the break.
Flexibility and Adaptability
The 5-3-2 formation in modern soccer is arguably the most effective when adjusting between the defensive and attacking phases.
Some of it has been touched upon earlier, but this system allows the team to make transitions easily. It is also important to note that not all transitions are counterattacks.
A team can transition into a possession phase after they regain the ball, and having numbers behind it earlier can make it easier to deal with a counter press.
Alternatively, these teams can easily transition from an attacking to a defensive phase because they will almost certainly have enough players behind the ball when they attack.
Example Set By Inter Milan
Inter Milan, one of the best-coached teams in soccer today and boasting arguably the best defense in Europe, is a prime example of this point.
Like Inter Milan, a lot of the teams that play a 5-3-2 formation in today’s game can change the shape and formation by moving players around to fill certain needs in different possession phases.
The aim is to create a situation whereby the opposition defense feels like they are outnumbered all over the pitch.
The base formation and shape is 5-3-2, but in possession, they may change to a 3-5-2 with the fullbacks leaving the defensive line and advancing into midfield to receive the ball in advanced areas.
Some teams also move a wide center back into midfield to overload the area, while others move their wide defenders as far as into the attack. Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni has been seen in this role.
How It Works for Other Teams
Who can forget the overlapping center-backs in Chris Wilder’s exciting Sheffield United team who rocked the Premier League a few years back?
Some other teams play a 3-3-4 formation with the wing backs pushed all the way forward to the last line of defense.
By doing this, the wingbacks can pin the opposition’s fullbacks and/or wingers back while being able to create from central areas.
This means they will have three midfielders (and the possibility of a fourth with a center-back moving to midfield) and two strikers in the middle trying to do damage.
With the midfielders or the defenders crashing the box, the attacking team can have as many as five players in the 18-yard box trying to get on the end of a cross.
Modern soccer tactics have shown the world that playing with five defenders can be an ultra-attacking formation and not only an ultra-defensive one.
Role of Player Versatility
The 5-3-2 formation is one that mostly requires players with versatile abilities, allowing them to thrive with abilities required for this tactical setup to flourish.
Player Roles and Responsibilities in 5-3-2 formation
Below, we take a look at the player roles and what exactly is needed of them in a 5-3-2 formation.
Goalkeeper
Modern soccer Possession sides require competent players with the ball on their feet to play in goal. For the best of the best teams, regardless of formation, the keeper has to be good on the ball.
In this system, though, the goalkeeper needs to have good vision and passing range. There will be times when a short pass to the center backs will be enough during the buildup.
There will also be other times when a dink into the free central midfielder or a longer pass into the wingback will be necessary to break down the opposition.
Defenders
In this system, the three center backs are crucial to success. The wide center backs must be athletic enough to cover distances, especially if they are required to go forward.
They must also be good at dealing with one-on-one scenarios out wide when the wing-backs are caught out of position after a turnover. It is always preferable (but it isn’t pivotal) that wide center-backs should play on their stronger sides.
When a left-footed center-back plays on the left side and vice versa, he will be able to create easier passing angles for himself as well as play crosses from deeper positions.
This is why some fullbacks who play in “back four” systems have been played as wide center-backs.
Kyle Walker has played that role for England and Manchester City, Cesar Azpilicueta for Chelsea in the past, Ben Davies for Tottenham Hotspur, Luke Shaw for Manchester United on occasion, Matteo Darmian for Inter Milan, and so many more.
A good example of this is Cesar Azpilicueta’s role for Chelsea whenever he played in the position either for Antonio Conte or Thomas Tuchel’s teams.
He would come into the right half-space and make crosses from just outside the box. Alvaro Morata benefited from his fellow countryman’s service more often than not during his time at Chelsea.
Each of the three defenders must be good on the ball so they do not get targeted by high-pressing teams. A weak link in buildup becomes a pressing trigger and could cause all sorts of problems for the team in possession.
Wing backs
The wingbacks are required to provide width, and they are mostly touchline huggers. They stay high and wide to receive the ball and stretch the play.
They can either take on their man one-on-one or wait for support, which may come from a midfielder, the wide defender, or even the striker on that side.
Wingbacks can also serve as decoys by making unselfish runs to pull defenders out of position, creating space for their teammates to operate in.
Midfielders
As previously mentioned, the midfield shape is largely determined by how the team chooses to play.
Some teams prefer to play with a defensive midfielder at the base and two central midfielders ahead of them, while others will play a double pivot behind an advanced midfielder or a number 10.
For the former shape, the team will expect the single defensive midfielder to offer the most protection to the backline.
The advanced midfielders or number 8s will support the central and wide attackers by creating overloads, making decoy runs, and providing a box presence when needed.
Forwards
The strike partnership up top is more than just the ‘big guy’, and ‘little guy’ front two. The system still works in modern football as Inter Milan had Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez play as a front two in a title-winning team, but their roles are not always exclusive.
For a player his size, Lautaro Martinez is good at holding up the ball, while Romelu Lukaku is more suited to running the channels despite his massive frame.
One of the most important things to note about the front two is that both players need complementary profiles regardless of who does what.
Examples of Successful 5-3-2 Formation
Over the years, the 5-3-2 formation has been put to good use by a host of coaches across world soccer. However, some teams particularly made the best out of this tactical setup, raising the bar to a different level.
Let’s have a look at some of those teams below.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan
This season, Inter Milan is one of the best teams in Europe and is arguably the best representation of how the 5-3-2 is currently played.
This team is versatile and can adapt to any and every situation. They can be protagonists on the ball, looking to attack by creating overloads all over the pitch and creating lots of chances.
They can also be reactionary by defending deep and allowing their opponents to have the ball while they patiently wait for their chance on the counterattack.
Last season’s UEFA Champions League finalists play a free-flowing style offensively and are stingy defensively. Their multifaceted style is about to win Simone Inzaghi his first Serie A title.
Louis Van Gaal in the Netherlands
While the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a great campaign for the Netherlands, the 2014 World Cup was a memorable one as well for a whole host of reasons.
They finished third in that tournament after beating the hosts, Brazil 3-0, but their biggest moment in that tournament was the 5-1 win over the defending champions, Spain.
Louis Van Gaal’s side played a 3-5-2, with Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben in the front two. They also had players like Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, Stefan De Vrij, and Wesley Sneijer, among others.
Antonio Conte at Chelsea
Conte’s first season at Chelsea saw him win the English Premier League title on his first try.
The back three of David Luiz, Gary Cahill, and Cesar Azpilicueta served as a solid base for what was the tireless midfield partnership of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante.
They offered protection and allowed the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian, Cesc Fabregas, and Diego Costa to be excellent up front and score goals.
Advantages of the 5-3-2 Formation
Using the 5-3-2 formation comes with some strong points and could often give teams the upper hand if used properly.
Here are some of the advantages that come with using this tactical setup.
Defensive solidity
The defending in a 5-3-2 is solid no matter the team’s style. Pressing teams can close down spaces and man-mark effectively, with the wide fullbacks stepping into midfield to make interventions.
Teams who prefer to sit back can absorb all the pressure as they have safety in numbers.
Counter-attacking opportunities
On the fastbreak, the 5-3-2 can quickly commit bodies forward and occupy the wide, central, and half-spaces.
Two forwards already up front and ready to occupy the defenders increase the team’s chances of getting further up the field with the ball and creating chances.
Strategic flexibility
From changing to a 3-4-1-2 to a 3-3-4, the 5-3-2 formation is versatile in so many ways. You could send wide defenders forward to join midfield and midfielders up to the front line. You can use wingbacks as back post threats in crossing situations as well.
There are so many ways to destroy defenses with this system; they are all fun to watch.
Limitations and Weaknesses of the 5-3-2 Formation
Similarly, the 5-3-2 formation also has weaknesses that could be exploited, especially if not utilized properly. Below, we take a look at some disadvantages of this tactical setup.
Vulnerabilities in midfield
The midfield can sometimes get stretched in transition because some of the midfield players will try to get into the box to provide an extra threat.
If the team is dispossessed with those players out of position, there will be a gap left in the center for teams to run into. This may force defenders to step into midfield and leave space behind them as well for the opposition to exploit.
Dependency on wing-backs
Because the wingbacks are the only source of width in this system, they can get relied upon a little too much.
If the opposition has tall players in midfield and defense, they may decide to defend centrally and force their opponents wide so they can deal with all the crosses the wingbacks put in.
Potential isolation of forwards
This is always a problem when teams choose to sit back and defend. Since there are no wingers (the wingbacks will be defending) on this team and the midfielders will be busy defending, there might not be much support for the forwards when they get the ball.
They would often be isolated as two strikers against three or four defensive players and would be dispossessed easily.
Final thoughts
I think it’s safe to say that I’ve grown a bit since thinking the 5-3-2 tactic was an indication that a team was only going to defend for 90 minutes.
In today’s game, it is a formation so versatile that even teams that play with a back four will change their in-possession shape to mirror the 5-3-2.
This tactic has a rigid defensive structure that can morph into an expansive attacking shape.
It’s no wonder why Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, and, to a lesser extent, Thomas Frank have all found decent success in recent years playing with this shape.
