Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Gregor Kobel · Nico Schlotterbeck · Waldemar Anton · Daniel Svensson · Julian Ryerson · Julian Brandt · Marcel Sabitzer · Jobe Bellingham · Karim Adeyemi · Serhou Guirassy · Felix Nmecha

Borussia Dortmund aims to dominate territory through a high press and verticality in a 4-5-1. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and transition rapidly to catch opponents out of position. The team relies on intense work rates to squeeze the space and disrupt the opposition build up.

Gregor Kobel stands between the posts to command his area and sweep behind a high line. The back four operates as a cohesive unit with Waldemar Anton and Nico Schlotterbeck acting as central defenders who defend zonally. Anton provides strength in the air while Schlotterbeck is able to step up into midfield to break the line. Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson play as full backs, with Ryerson looking to overlap the winger and Svensson tucking in to maintain a compact shape when defending deep.

In the middle of the park, Borussia Dortmund employs a three-man midfield with a double pivot to control the center. Marcel Sabitzer and Jobe Bellingham sit in front of the defense to shield the back four and intercept passes. Sabitzer often drops between the centre backs to receive the ball and play out from the back. Felix Nmecha operates as a carrier in the middle to connect the defensive and attacking lines. Julian Brandt plays in the half space to create from deep, while Karim Adeyemi works on the left to press aggressively and win it back high up the pitch.

The attack centers on a lone striker, Serhou Guirassy, who acts as a target man to hold up the ball. Guirassy uses his strength to win the header and lay it off to oncoming runners. Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt push high to support the striker, with Adeyemi looking to cut inside and run in behind the defense. The team creates width through the wide midfielders who pull wide to stretch the defense. Guirassy often pins the last defender to create space for late runs into the box from Nmecha or Brandt.

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 won. By using a narrow midfield block, the team can quickly shift to cover wide areas. The presence of Guirassy allows the team to go direct when under pressure, using his ability to hold up the ball to allow the rest of the team to move forward.

This 4-5-1 formation provides a balance between defensive solidity and rapid attacking movement. It is best suited for matches against teams that prefer to keep possession, allowing Dortmund to exploit the space left behind on the transition.