Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

GREGOR (KOBEL) · EMRE (CAN) · WALDEMAR (ANTON) · NICO (SCHLOTTERBECK) · JULIAN (RYERSON) · DANIEL (SVENSSON) · FELIX (NMECHA) · JOBE (BELLINGHAM) · MARCEL (SABITZER) · MAXIMILIAN (BEIER) · SERHOU (GUIRASSY)

Borussia Dortmund utilizes a 3-5-2 formation to drive a heavy high press and direct vertical play. This formation is built to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opposition can settle. By using a mid block or a high line, the team seeks to control the central areas and force turnovers in dangerous zones.

GREGOR acts as the last line of defense, playing out from the back to start attacks. The defensive unit operates with a back three consisting of NICO on the left, WALDEMAR in the center, and EMRE on the right. NICO and EMRE act as wide centre backs to cover the space left by the advancing wide midfielders, while WALDEMAR remains central to win the header and clear the lines. They hold a high line to squeeze the space and set the offside trap.

The midfield is a three man central unit with an attacking ten designed to dominate the center of the pitch. MARCEL operates as the attacking ten behind the strikers, looking to play through the lines and find the feet of the attackers. FELIX and JOBE form the central pairing to control the tempo, with FELIX acting to shield the defense and JOBE looking to carry the ball forward. DANIEL and JULIAN provide the width, acting as wing backs who push up to overlap the midfielders and stretch the defense.

In the final third, Borussia Dortmund employs a two man partnership of MAXIMILIAN and SERHOU. MAXIMILIAN plays as the right striker to hold up the ball and link play, while SERHOU acts as a pressing centre forward to harass the opposition back line. The attack relies on combinations between the strikers and the late runs made by MARCEL into the box. Wide players like DANIEL and JULIAN will often get to the byline to deliver a cross or cut it back for the oncoming midfielders.

This formation offers significant tactical advantages, specifically the ability to create numerical superiority in the center of the park. With MARCEL, FELIX, and JOBE all occupying central zones, they can often outnumber opposition pivots. Additionally, the team can press in coordinated waves, using the front two and the attacking midfielder to trigger a press that forces a long ball from the opponent. The speed of transition is also a key asset when the wide players recover the ball.

This 3-5-2 system defines a team that wants to control games through central dominance and aggressive pressing. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a wide game or struggle to deal with a crowded central midfield.