Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

kobel · couto · kounde · anselmino · svenson · bissouma · tonali · bellingham · mastantuono · di maria · guirassy

A heavy emphasis on direct transitions and defensive solidity defines this Borussia Dortmund lineup in a 5-3-2. This formation seeks to sit deep when out of possession and strike quickly once the ball is won. By utilizing a back five, the team builds a foundation to absorb pressure before launching vertical attacks.

Kobel stands between the posts to manage the defensive line and act as a sweep. The defensive unit relies on a central trio consisting of bissouma, kounde, and anselmino to protect the box. Bissouma provides strength in the air and central coverage, while kounde and anselmino act as ball playing defenders to start attacks. On the flanks, svenson and couto operate as wing backs, tasked with pushing high to provide width or tracking back to form a deep block.

The midfield operates as a three man unit designed to control the middle of the pitch and bridge the gap to the attackers. Tonali sits in the left central role to shield the back line and intercept passes, while bellingham drives forward from the right to carry the ball into the final third with his physical presence and ball carrying. Mastantuono operates in the attacking midfield role, looking to find pockets of space between the lines to create chances for the forwards.

In the attacking phase, Borussia Dortmund employs two forwards to stretch the opposition. Di Maria operates as a left sided striker, often looking to cut inside and use his passing range to find teammates. Guirassy acts as the right sided striker, capable of holding up the ball and playing with his back to goal. The wing backs, svenson and couto, are vital for providing width, allowing the two strikers to focus on central movement and pressing the opposition defenders.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of svenson and couto. When the wing backs push up, they force the opposition wide players to track back, often leaving central gaps for bellingham or mastantuono to exploit. The team also benefits from a compact defensive block that makes it very difficult for opponents to break through the middle, forcing them to play around the perimeter.

This 5-3-2 formation provides a robust platform for teams that want to defend deep and strike on the break. It is best suited for matches against dominant possession sides where the ability to absorb pressure and transition quickly is key.