Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Kobel (Meyer) · Anton (Mane) · Bensebaini (Reggiani) · Can (Branthwaite) · Beier (Svensson) · Bellingham (Sabitzer) · Casado (Eichhorn) · Ryerson (Nmecha) · Brandt (Inacio) · Olmo (Ndiaye) · Guirassy (Gonzalo)

Borussia Dortmund operates with a 3-4-3 formation designed for high intensity and direct play. This lineup focuses on a heavy press and quick transitions to catch opponents out of position. The intention is to use aggressive movement to force turnovers in the final third and move the ball forward with speed.

Kobel acts as the last line of defense in goal, providing security from the back. The defensive unit relies on a back three consisting of Can, Anton, and Bensebaini. Bensebaini sits in the middle to organize the line while Can and Anton provide cover and aerial strength. This back three allows the team to stay compact when they sit deep, though they must step up together to maintain a high line.

The midfield functions with a central pairing and two wide players. Casado and Bellingham control the center, with Bellingham using his driving runs and ball carrying to break the line. Bellingham works to connect the defense to the attack by moving between the lines. Ryerson plays on the right as a wide midfielder to provide width and track back when needed, while Beier operates on the left to help push the team forward.

In the attacking phase, the team utilizes three forwards. Guirassy acts as the lone striker to hold up the ball and occupy the central defenders. Olmo and Brandt play as wide attackers, with Olmo looking to cut inside to create chances. This front three applies heavy pressure on the opposition defenders to prevent them from building play from the back.

One major advantage of this formation is the ability to press high in coordinated waves to disrupt the opponent. The presence of Casado and Bellingham in the middle allows for numerical superiority when they step up to support the attack. Additionally, the wide players like Ryerson and Beier create wide overloads that force the opposing full backs to make difficult decisions.

Borussia Dortmund uses this 3-4-3 formation to dominate through aggressive pressing and verticality. This lineup is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.