Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

KOBEL · HUMMELS · AKANJI · RYERSON · MAATSEN · GÜNDOGAN · EMRE ÇAN · HAALAND · BELLINGHAM · ADEYEMI · SANCHO

High intensity and verticality define Borussia Dortmund as they utilize a 4-2-4 formation. This lineup is built to catch opponents in transition and strike with pace. The goal is to win the ball and break quickly to exploit gaps in the opposition defense.

KOBEL remains in goal to command the area and sweep behind the high line. The defensive unit functions as a back four where MAATSEN and RYERSON occupy the full back roles. MAATSEN can overlap to support the attack, while RYERSON must track back to cover the wide spaces. In the middle, AKANJI uses his aerial strength to win the header and defend zonally. HUMMELS uses his passing range to play out from the back and find teammates through the lines.

The midfield relies on a double pivot to connect the defensive and attacking lines. GÜNDOGAN acts as a playmaker who can drop between the centre-backs to receive and recycle possession. He is key to helping the team progress through the thirds and find the feet of the striker. EMRE ÇAN plays to shield the defense and press in a mid-block to win the second ball. This duo must work to compress the midfield and deny the pivot.

The front line features four attackers meant to stretch the defence. ADEYEMI and SANCHO act as wide wingers who cut inside to create chances. HAALAND works as a target man to hold up the ball and knock it in behind. BELLINGHAM operates as a second striker in the hole, often making late runs into the box to arrive late into the box. This lineup is designed to create runs in behind and force the opposition back.

The formation offers several tactical advantages, such as the ability to press high in coordinated waves. Having four forwards allows for wide overloads and creates many one on one situations for the wingers. The team can also exploit the speed of transition to hit in behind on the transition.

The 4-2-4 formation is an aggressive lineup built for high pressure. It is best suited for matches where the team needs to overwhelm the opposition and play with high verticality.