Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Weidenfeller (Tilkowski/Klos) · Reuter (Piszczek) · Hummels (Worns) · Kohler (Paul) · Dede (Schmelzer) · Sammer (Kurrat/Gundogan) · Zorc (Schmidt) · Moller (Rosicky) · Ricken (Libuda) · Reus (Emmerich) · Lewandowski (Chapuisat/Preissler)

Borussia Dortmund looks to control matches through a high press and rapid transitions using a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and use quick vertical movements to punish the opposition. The team focuses on squeezing the space in the middle of the pitch while stretching the defence through wide attackers.

Weidenfeller starts between the posts to organize the back line. The defensive unit operates with a flat back four where Reuter acts as the right back to provide width and Dede plays as the left back. Hummels plays as a ball playing centre back with great passing range to start attacks, while Kohler provides cover alongside him. The unit works to hold the line and play out from the back to build play.

The midfield operates with a single pivot as Sammer sits in front of the defence to shield the back four and win the second ball. Zorc plays as a carrier in the right central midfield role to drive forward with the ball and link the lines. Moller operates on the left side of the midfield to connect the defence to the attack and press aggressively in a mid-block. This three man midfield works to compress the midfield and deny the turn to opposition players.

In the final third, Borussia Dortmund employs three attackers to pin the last defender. Lewandowski acts as a lone striker and a target man who can hold up the ball and play a one-two with his teammates. Reus plays as an inverted winger on the left who likes to cut inside to find space, while Ricken stays wide on the right to whip it in or deliver early crosses. The forwards press from the front to force a long ball and create chances through quick combinations.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By using Sammer to protect the centre, the team can commit more players forward to create wide overloads. The speed of transition when Ricken and Reus receive the ball allows the team to hit in behind on the transition before the opposition can recover.

Borussia Dortmund relies on a high intensity game to dominate the ball and disrupt the opponent. This 4-3-3 is best suited for matches against teams that play a high line or struggle to play out from the back.