Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Borussia Dortmund focuses on a high press and quick transitions using a 5-2-3. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and break quickly once possession is regained. The team looks to stretch the defence by using wide players and hitting in behind on the transition. This way of playing allows the team to use their verticality to catch opponents off guard.

Kobel protects the goal as the goalkeeper with his strong shot stopping. The defensive unit operates as a back five, with Ryerson acting as an attacking wing back on the right and Rothe as an attacking wing back on the left. In the middle, Emre Can holds the line as the central defender to win the second ball and provide cover. Anton and Schlotterbeck play as the wide centre-backs to defend zonally and win headers during crosses. The back five stays compact to deny the turn of opposition strikers and maintains a narrow defensive block when the ball is on the opposite flank.

The midfield functions as a double pivot with Brandt and Sabitzer. Brandt uses his passing range to play through the lines and connect the defensive and attacking lines. Sabitzer works to press in a mid-block and covers the space between the midfield and the back five. They work to recycle possession and move the ball to the wide areas to find the wingers. The pair must work hard to pick up runners from deep and shield the defence during periods of pressure.

The attacking unit features three players across the front. Adeyemi and Malen act as inverted wingers who cut inside to create chances. Füllkrug operates as a target man to hold up the ball and win aerial duels against centre backs. This formation aims to create runs in behind and allow the wing backs to overlap the winger. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition and pin the last defender to create space for others.

Borussia Dortmund gains a tactical advantage through wide overloads when Ryerson and Rothe push up the pitch to support the attack. The formation provides high levels of compactness when defending in a mid-block or when dropping into a low block. The team also uses the speed of Adeyemi to exploit space during transitions, making them very dangerous when they break quickly.

This 5-2-3 formation is ideal for a team that wants to counter at pace and use high intensity. It is most effective against opponents that commit many players forward and leave gaps behind their defensive line.