Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Borussia Dortmund looks to win the ball high and strike with speed in a 5-2-3. This formation is built to play a vertical style of football that relies on quick transitions and heavy pressing. The team aims to squeeze the space in the opponent's half to win it back high up the pitch and catch the opposition out of position.

Kobel stands between the posts to guard the goal. The defensive unit uses a back five that can shift and cover the width of the pitch. Can sits in the center to command the line, while Anton and Süle act as the wider center backs. Süle uses his aerial strength to win the header during defensive phases, and Anton provides cover when the team pushes up. Bensebaini operates as the left wing back to provide width, while Ryerson works as the right wing back to push up the flank.

A double pivot acts as the engine for the Dortmund lineup. Brandt and Sabitzer operate in the center to connect the back line to the attack. Sabitzer uses his pressing intensity to win the ball back in the middle, while Brandt looks to carry the ball forward and play through the lines. These two must work hard to cover the ground and deny the pivot of the opposition. They shift to close gaps and help the defense when the team must sit deep.

The front line consists of three attackers who press from the front. Malen works as the central striker to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. On the flanks, Reyna and Adeyemi provide width and the ability to cut inside. Adeyemi uses his pace to hit in behind on the transition, while Reyna looks to link up play between the lines. The goal is to create situations where the wingers can cut it back to Malen or allow him to find the feet of the striker.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, particularly in the speed of transition. When the ball is won, the wide runners like Bensebaini and Ryerson can immediately spread wide to stretch the defence. The back five provides great compactness when defending in a mid-block, making it hard for opponents to play through the lines. Additionally, the three attackers can trigger a press in coordinated waves to force a long ball from the opposition.

The 5-2-3 formation is a high energy system designed to punish teams that play with a high defensive line. It is best suited for matches where Borussia Dortmund needs to control the game through quick transitions and intense pressing.