1
Three centre-backs, five midfielders, two strikers. The wing-backs do most of the heavy lifting, defending when needed (making it a 5-3-2) and bombing forward to provide width (making it a 3-5-2). One of the three centre-backs often steps into midfield with the ball. Italian football loved this shape in the 1990s, and it's come back into fashion as managers look for tactical flexibility. Wing-backs need serious stamina.
Antonio Conte's Juventus and later Chelsea used the 3-5-2 (and 3-4-3 variant) to great effect, with wing-backs like Marcos Alonso bombing forward while three center-backs provided defensive security.
Robbie
Jan 15, 2026
Have a different take?
Think there's another way to define 3-5-2 Formation? The Football Dictionary is built by the community — submit your own definition and let others vote on it.
Submit Your Definition