Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

A high pressing and vertical style defines Borussia Dortmund in this 5-2-3 formation. The lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately transition into attack to catch opponents out of position. This system relies on rapid movement and quick ball circulation to break defensive lines.

Kobel acts as the last line of defense, providing stability from the goal. The back line consists of a central trio where Can leads the unit, using his presence to organize the defense. Bensebaini and Anton sit on either side of him to cover space and intercept passes. Ryerson operates as the right wing back, looking to push high and provide width, while Svensson performs a similar role on the left. The defense works to stay compact, stepping up together to squeeze the space between the lines.

In the middle of the pitch, the team relies on a two man midfield. Sabitzer and Brandt act as the engine, tasked with connecting the defense to the front three. Sabitzer works to break the line with vertical passes, while Brandt looks to find pockets of space to create chances. These two must track back to support the back five when out of possession, ensuring the midfield does not get overrun.

The attacking front three provides constant movement and threat. Beier leads the line as the lone striker, working to hold up the ball and pin the central defenders. Sancho cuts inside from the left to create goal scoring opportunities, using his dribbling to beat his marker. Adeyemi provides pace from the right wing, ready to run in behind the defense. This front line presses the opposition back line aggressively to force mistakes.

Borussia Dortmund gains a significant advantage through wide overloads when Ryerson and Svensson overlap their respective wingers. The formation also creates numerical superiority in the defensive third, making it very difficult for opponents to find gaps. Another strength is the speed of transition, as the team can shift from a deep block to a heavy attack in seconds.

This 5-2-3 formation offers a strong balance between defensive solidity and rapid counter attacking. It is best suited for matches against teams that play with a high line or struggle to manage quick transitions.