Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

KOBEL · SCHLOTTERBECK · ANTON · BENSEBAINI · RYERSON · NMECHA · EMRE ÇAN · BRANDT · GUIRASSY · ADEYEMI · DURANVILLE

Borussia Dortmund plays a very vertical style of football in a 4-2-4 formation. The team looks to win the ball high up the pitch and hit in behind on the transition to catch the opposition out of position. This lineup aims to stretch the defence by using high width and constant movement in the final third to create chances.

Kobel sits in goal to command the area and organize the line. The defensive unit uses a flat back four with Ryerson at right back and Bensebaini at left back. Anton and Schlotterbeck act as the two central defenders, with Schlotterbeck often playing as a ball playing defender who uses his passing range to progress through the thirds. This back four will step up to set the offside trap and squeeze the space when the team presses high.

In the middle of the pitch, Nmecha and Emre Çan operate as a double pivot. They work to protect the back four and win the second ball to keep the pressure on the opponent. Nmecha often drops deep to receive the ball from the centre backs, while Emre Çan tries to carry the ball forward to connect the defensive and attacking lines. This duo must be ready to intercept passes and cover the spaces left behind when the full backs push up.

The attack is built around four players who stay high to pin the last defender. Duranville and Adeyemi act as the wide attackers, with Duranville looking to cut inside and Adeyemi using his pace to run in behind. Brandt and Guirassy operate as the central duo, where Brandt uses his vision to split the defence with a through ball and Guirassy can hold up the ball to let others arrive late into the box. They press from the front to force a long ball and win it back high up the pitch.

This 4-2-4 formation offers speed of transition. By having four players already high, Borussia Dortmund can break quickly once the ball is won in the middle third. Another advantage is the ability to create wide overloads when Ryerson or Bensebaini overlap the winger to help the attack. This creates constant pressure on the opposition flanks.

The 4-2-4 is a high risk and high reward formation built for heavy pressing and fast counter attacks. It is best used against teams that struggle to play out from the back or leave space behind their midfield.