Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

R. WEIDENFELLER · M. HUMMELS · J. KOHLER · M. REUS · L. PISZCZEK · N. SAHIN · L. RICKEN · S. KEHL · M. SCHMELZER · R. LEWANDOWSKI · P. AUBAMEYANG

Borussia Dortmund aims to win the ball high and strike on the transition through a 5-3-2. This formation is built to play with a heavy verticality, looking to exploit gaps left by an advancing opponent. The lineup relies on compact defensive blocks and quick movement to turn defense into an immediate attack.

R. Weidensteller acts as the last line of defense behind a back five. The defensive unit uses a staggered back five where S. Kehl sits in the center to organize the line. M. Hummels operates as a ball playing defender on the left, while J. Kohler covers the right side. To provide width, L. Piszczek and M. Schmelzer play as attacking wing backs who push high up the pitch to support the attack. This unit is designed to stay compact, making it difficult for opponents to play through the center.

The midfield operates as a three man midfield with a carrier and a playmaker. N. Sahin sits in the middle to link the defense and attack, often dropping to receive the ball and recycle possession. L. Ricken works alongside him to press in a mid-block and win the second ball. M. Reus plays as an attacking ten behind the strikers, finding pockets of space to create chances. This group works to squeeze the space between the lines and ensure the team stays connected when moving from a low block to a high press.

The attack utilizes two forwards in a partnership to stretch the opposition defense. R. Lewandowski and P. Aubameyang work as a duo that looks to run in behind the back line. Lewandowski often holds up the ball to allow others to join the play, while Aubameyang uses his pace to hit in behind on the transition. They press from the front to force a long ball from the opposition. The team builds the attack through wide areas where the wing backs overlap to deliver crosses into the box.

Borussia Dortmund gains a significant advantage through their ability to press in coordinated waves. The formation offers numerical superiority in the central areas when the midfielders and attacking ten compress the space. This allows for a rapid speed of transition once the ball is won back. Additionally, the width provided by the wing backs creates wide overloads that pull the opposition defenders out of position.

This 5-3-2 formation is a resilient system built for quick counter attacking football. It is best suited for facing teams that play a high defensive line and leave space behind their defenders.