FORMATION · 3 AT THE BACK

The 3-5-2 formation

Three centre-backs, wing-backs on both sides of a midfield three, two up front.

The shape
1
GK
2
CB
3
CB
4
CB
5
RM
6
CM
7
CM
8
CM
9
LM
10
ST
11
ST
Formation 3-5-2
What it gives you

Wins the midfield by numbers and still keeps two strikers on the pitch.

What it costs you

It lives or dies on wing-backs who can do both jobs for ninety minutes.

Positions
GKCBCBCBRMCMCMCMLMSTST

Who plays it

The 3-5-2 is the 7th most-used shape of the 22 we track: 197 of the 5,080 lineups we hold from the leagues we cover this season, 4% of them.

Other shapes