Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Borussia Dortmund plays a vertical style of football centered on quick transitions, utilizing a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup focuses on winning the ball and immediately hitting the opposition in behind. The goal is to use the pace of the attackers to stretch the pitch and create scoring chances before the opposition can settle.

Kobel guards the goal and uses his shot stopping ability to keep the team in the game. The defense operates in a back five that can shift into a mid block to squeeze the space. Can, who is the captain, acts as the central anchor, organizing the unit and winning headers to clear the lines. Süle plays as the right centre back to provide cover and physical presence, while Bensebaini sits as the left centre back to help play out from the back. Ryerson and Maatsen act as attacking wing backs who push high up the pitch to provide width, but they must track back to ensure the team maintains its defensive block.

A two man central pairing of Sabitzer and Brandt makes up the midfield. Sabitzer works to drive forward with the ball and win the second ball in the center of the pitch. Brandt plays more as an inverted eight, looking to receive on the half turn and play through the lines to the attackers. This duo connects the defense to the front three by recycling possession and finding the feet of the strikers. They must stay compact to deny the pivot of the opposition and prevent passes into the central channels.

Three players work in combination across the front line. Malen plays as a pressing centre forward, using his movement to pin the last defender and create space for others. Sancho operates as an inverted winger on the left, frequently cutting inside to use his dribbling to beat his man. Adeyemi stays wide on the right to use his pace to hit in behind on the transition. This allows the team to attack through the middle with Sancho or spread wide to use the wingers and overlapping full backs.

One major tactical advantage of this 5-2-3 is the ability to hit in behind on the transition with extreme speed. By using Ryerson and Maatsen to provide width, Borussia Dortmund can create wide overloads that force the opposition to shift constantly. The back five also provides a compact defensive block that makes it hard for opponents to find space between the lines.

This formation is built for rapid counter attacking football. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line and leave space for runners to exploit.