Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

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

Borussia Dortmund focuses on a high press and rapid transition play using a 5-4-1 formation. This lineup aims to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly before the opposition can get organized. The team looks to squeeze the space in the middle and force the opponent to play long, allowing the defensive unit to win the second ball and launch immediate attacks.

Kobel stays between the posts to command the area and sweep behind a high line when the defenders push forward. The defensive unit functions as a back five that can shift into a narrow defensive block to protect the central zones. Anton and Bellingham serve as the central defenders, with Anton providing aerial strength and Bellingham acting as a ball playing defender to progress through the thirds. Nmecha sits on the right of the central trio to provide cover, while Gaddou and Schlotterbeck operate as attacking wing backs who provide width and push high to overlap the midfielders.

The midfield works in a flat four to maintain compactness when defending. Ryerson acts as a single pivot to shield the defence and protect the center backs. Svensson and Beier operate in the central roles to connect the defensive and attacking lines, with Beier looking to carry the ball forward into the half spaces. Karetsas plays on the right of the midfield four to press aggressively and win the ball high up the pitch. This group works to compress the midfield and deny the turn to opposition playmakers.

In the attacking phase, Guirassy works as a lone pressing centre-forward. He is tasked to pin the last defender and hold up the ball to allow the midfielders to join the attack. The wide players, Gaddou and Schlotterbeck, push high to stretch the defence and create wide overloads. Guirassy looks to find the feet of the striker or knock it in behind the defenders to exploit spaces. The goal is to create runs in behind and deliver early crosses into the box from the flanks.

Borussia Dortmund gains a significant advantage through the ability to press high in coordinated waves. The presence of Gaddou and Schlotterbeck allows for wide overloads from overlapping full backs that pull the opposition defense apart. Additionally, the team can achieve great compactness when defending in a low block, making it very difficult for opponents to find passing lanes into the box.

This formation is built to play a direct and vertical game that punishes teams playing with a high defensive line. It is best suited for matches against possession based sides where winning the ball back high up the pitch leads to immediate scoring chances.