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3-5-2 formation: positions and roles

A 3-5-2 formation has a goalkeeper and ten outfield players: 3 in defence, 5 in midfield and 2 in attack, as the digits read from the back.

3-5-2 formation diagram with every position
There is no settled shirt numbering for a back three, so the diagram shows positions only.

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Positions in the 3-5-2

Position
Goalkeeper
Centre-back
Centre-back
Centre-back
Left wing-back
Central midfielder
Defensive midfielder
Central midfielder
Right wing-back
Striker
Striker

All positions and what their numbers mean

How the shape changes

Without the ball it often drops into a 5-3-2 formation. 5-3-2

Read the full guide to the 3-5-2 formation

How many defenders, midfielders and forwards are in a 3-5-2?

A 3-5-2 formation has a goalkeeper and ten outfield players: 3 in defence, 5 in midfield and 2 in attack. The digits of a formation count the outfield lines from the back.

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