Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Borussia Dortmund focuses on rapid transitions and high intensity, utilizing a 5-2-3 formation. The team seeks to squeeze the pitch and strike quickly once they win the ball back. This lineup is built to use the full width of the field to stretch the defence before playing through the lines.

Kobel sits in goal to provide shot stopping and command the area. The defensive unit operates in a back five where Can holds the central position to clear the lines and organise the team. Süle plays as a wide centre back, using his aerial strength to win the header when defending crosses, while Bensebaini provides cover on the left side of the central trio. Ryerson acts as an attacking wing back on the right to drive forward, and Svensson pushes up as the left wing back to provide width. This back five can shift together to stay compact when the team sits deep.

The midfield consists of a two man pairing with Brandt and Sabitzer. Sabitzer acts as a carrier who drives forward with the ball to bridge the gap between the lines, while Brandt works to create from deep and connect the defence to the attack. They must press in a mid block to trigger a press and win it back high up the pitch. These two players are responsible for covering huge amounts of ground to ensure the team does not get bypassed in the middle. They often drop into the space between the lines to receive the ball and recycle possession.

In the final third, the team uses three attackers to lead the pressure. Beier works as a lone striker to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Sancho operates on the left and will often cut inside to use his dribbling skills, creating space for the wing backs. Adeyemi stays high on the right to make runs in behind and hit in behind on the transition with his pace. The front three press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. This allows the team to attack in combinations, with wing backs like Ryerson and Svensson crossing on the run to find the attackers.

The main advantages of this 5-2-3 formation are the wide overloads and the speed of transition. By using Ryerson and Svensson, the team can create numerical superiority on the flanks to bypass the midfield. Additionally, the ability to press in coordinated waves allows the team to win the second ball and maintain pressure. This lineup makes it very difficult for opponents to find space between the lines once the ball is lost.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a strong base for Borussia Dortmund to exploit spaces on the counter. It is best suited for facing opponents who hold a lot of possession and leave space behind their defensive line.