Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Kobel (Ramaj/Meyer/Ostrzinski) · Schlotterbeck (Bensebaini) · Anton (Reggiani) · Gaddou (TBD/Can) · Beier (Svensson) · Ryerson (Couto) · Bellingham (Chukwuemeka) · Nmecha (Sabitzer) · Inácio (Lerma) · Karetsas (TBD) · Guirassy (Silva)

Borussia Dortmund prioritizes a defensive identity with a 5-4-1 formation. This lineup is built to play a counter attacking style that relies on absorbing pressure before hitting teams in behind. The focus is on being defensively solid and using the transition to catch opponents.

Kobel guards the goal while the back five maintains a narrow defensive block. Gaddou acts as the right wing back to provide width, while Schlotterbeck plays as the left wing back to help cover the flank. The central defenders, Anton, Bellingham, and Nmecha, stay close together to defend zonally. Bellingham and Nmecha act as the side centre backs to cover the channels, with Bellingham using his ability to carry the ball forward. Anton holds the middle to win the header and clear the lines. This unit stays compact to deny the turn to attackers.

Ryerson sits in front of the back line as a single pivot to shield the defence. Ahead of him, the other midfielders, Beier, Inácio, and Karetsas, work to occupy the central spaces. Inácio and Karetsas act as the central midfielders to control the tempo, while Beier plays as a more advanced midfielder to connect the lines. Ryerson stays deep to pick up runners and prevent direct passes through the middle. This group aims to win the second ball and quickly recycle possession to progress through the thirds.

Guirassy operates as a lone striker, acting as a target man to hold up the ball for the midfielders. The attack relies on the wing backs, Gaddou and Schlotterbeck, to provide width and overlap during a break. When Borussia Dortmund wins the ball, the team looks to spread wide to stretch the defence. Guirassy will try to lay it off to the midfielders or run into space to receive on the half-turn. The team moves from a low block into a rapid vertical attack to catch the opponent out of position and split the defence with a through ball.

One major advantage of this lineup is the compactness when defending in a low block. By having five defenders and four midfielders, the team makes it hard for opponents to find passing lanes through the middle and forces a long ball. Another strength is the ability to counter at pace once the ball is won. The presence of Guirassy allows the team to go direct and use his strength to win the second ball in the final third.

This 5-4-1 formation is a hard to beat lineup for teams that want to absorb pressure and strike on the break. It is most effective against teams that dominate possession but struggle to break down a deep defensive block.