Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

G. Kobel · J. Ryerson (Yan Couto) · N. Süle (W. Anton) · N. Schlotterbeck · R. Bensebaini (J. Ryerson) · E. Can (F. Nmecha) · P. Groß · K. Adeyemi (Sabitzer / Malen / Beier) · J. Brandt · J. Gittens (Sabitzer / Adeyemi) · S. Guirassy

Borussia Dortmund aims to play a high intensity, vertical game built to punish opponents on the break. This 4-2-4 formation focuses on winning the ball and hitting the opposition quickly with direct forward movements. The team wants to stretch the defence by using wide attackers and creating numbers in the final third.

Gregor Kobel plays between the posts as the goalkeeper. The back line works as a flat back four that maintains a high line to squeeze the space. Niklas Süle acts as a ball playing centre back with strong aerial ability, while Nino Schlotterbeck provides cover and steps into midfield when necessary. Julian Ryerson plays as an overlapping full back on the right to provide width, and Raphael Bensebaini acts as a defensive wing back on the left to help the defensive unit hold its position.

The midfield operates as a double pivot designed to control the center of the pitch. Emre Can, who is the captain (C), sits deeper to shield the defence and break up play. Pascal Groß acts as the carrier who connects the defensive and attacking lines by carrying the ball forward. This pairing works to win the second ball and recycle possession before looking to play through the lines to the front four.

Borussia Dortmund uses four attackers to pin the last defender. Serhou Guirassy acts as the target man to hold up the ball, while Julian Brandt plays as a second striker in the hole to find space between the lines. Karim Adeyemi stays wide on the right to hit in behind on the transition, and Jamie Gittens acts as an inverted winger on the left who cuts inside to create chances. This front line is designed to attack in combinations and create runs in behind.

The main tactical advantages of this formation are the ability to press high in coordinated waves and the speed of transition once the ball is recovered. By using a double pivot, the team maintains compactness when defending while being ready to spread wide during an attack. The setup creates wide overloads when the full backs join the wingers.

This 4-2-4 formation is a high risk, high reward setup that relies on aggressive pressing. It is best suited for games where the opponent plays a high line and can be caught out by pace in behind.