Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Serhou Guirassy · Julian Brandt · Maximilian Beier · Jobe Bellingham · Daniel Svensson · Yan Couto · Marcel Sabitzer · Aarón Anselmino · Waldemar Anton · Ramy Bensebaini · Gregor Kobel

Borussia Dortmund aims to play a high press with a very vertical style of play. This heavy pressing intent is delivered through a 3-4-3 formation. The team looks to win the ball high up the pitch and transition quickly to catch the opposition out of position.

Gregor Kobel acts as the last line of defense, often acting as a sweeper to cover the space behind the back line. The defense operates as a back three. Waldemar Anton leads the center of the line, acting as a dominant presence in the air and a ball playing defender. Aarón Anselmino holds the right side of the back three, while Ramy Bensebaini occupies the left. Together, they maintain a high line to squeeze the space between the units.

The midfield works as a four man unit that links the defense to the attack. Marcel Sabitzer sits in the holding role to shield the defense and recycle possession. Jobe Bellingham and Daniel Svensson operate as the central runners, looking to drive forward with the ball and press aggressively. Yan Couto provides extra width and energy, often stepping up to support the attack. This midfield group must work hard to win the second ball and ensure the team remains compact when the opponent has the ball.

In the final third, Borussia Dortmund uses three attackers to stretch the defense. Maximilian Beier and Julian Brandt act as wide attackers, with Beier looking to cut inside and Brandt finding pockets of space. Serhou Guirassy operates as the lone striker, using his strength to hold up the ball and pin the last defender. The attackers press from the front in pairs to force a long ball from the opposition. This creates many opportunities for runs in behind and allows the team to attack in combinations during quick transitions.

This lineup offers significant advantages through its ability to press high in coordinated waves. By using a back three and a midfield four, the team can create wide overloads to isolate the opposition wingers. The speed of transition is another key strength, as the players are coached to move from a defensive block to an attacking stance in seconds.

The 3-4-3 formation makes Borussia Dortmund a dangerous side that thrives on high intensity and quick verticality. It is best suited for games against teams that struggle to play out from the back under heavy pressure.