Borussia Dortmund Football Formation
Starting Lineup
Kobel (1) · Hummels (4) · Groß (5) · Reus (8) · Bellingham (10) · Matthäus (15) · Pedro (7) · David Villa (9) · Völler (11) · Guerreiro (2) · Kimmich (6)Borussia Dortmund relies on a high press and quick transitions to unsettle opponents through a 4-3-3 formation. This lineup is built to win the ball back high up the pitch and immediately attack the space behind the opposition defensive line. The team seeks to control the tempo through central combinations while maintaining the ability to break quickly when the ball is recovered.
Kobel stays between the posts to organize a defensive unit that prefers to play out from the back. The back four consists of Kimmich at right back and Guerreiro at left back, both of whom are expected to push high and provide width. Hummels operates as a ball playing defender from the right side of the center, while Groß covers the left. Hummels uses his passing range to start attacks, and the duo works together to hold a high line and set the offside trap.
The midfield works as a three man midfield with a carrier and a creative engine. Matthäus acts as the engine to drive forward with the ball and win the second ball, while Reus connects the defensive and attacking lines with his vision. Bellingham plays in the space between the lines as an advanced midfielder, looking to arrive late into the box and press aggressively. This group helps Borussia Dortmund to compress the midfield when the opposition tries to build play.
An attacking trio provides constant movement to stretch the defence. Pedro acts as the focal point in a lone striker role, working to hold up the ball and find the feet of his teammates. Völler plays as an inverted winger on the left to cut inside, while David Villa occupies the right flank to look for openings to hit in behind. The forwards work together to press from the front, forcing the opposition to play long balls that the defenders can intercept.
One major strength of this formation is the ability to create wide overloads through the movement of Kimmich and Guerreiro. The team also benefits from the speed of transition when Bellingham and Reus move from a mid block into a direct attack. By using the technical quality of the midfielders, the lineup can effectively switch play to isolate wide players in one on one situations.
This 4-3-3 setup focuses on aggressive ball recovery and rapid vertical movement. It is best suited for matches against teams that play a high defensive line or struggle to deal with constant pressure.