Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

ALEXANDER (MEYER) · FILIPPO (MANÉ) · EMRE (CAN) · RAMY (BENSEBAINI) · CARNEY (CHUKWUEMEKA) · KAUÃ (PRATES) · JOEY (VEERMAN) · MARCEL (SABITZER) · GIANNIS (KONSTANTELIAS) · SAMUELE (INÁCIO) · FÁBIO (SILVA)

Borussia Dortmund seeks to control matches through a high press and rapid verticality. The team operates in a 3-5-2 formation that prioritizes dominance in the middle of the park and constant pressure on the ball. This system is built to win the ball high up the pitch and move quickly toward the goal.

Alexander sits between the posts to organize the back line. A back three consisting of Ramy, Emre, and Filippo forms the foundation of the defense. Ramy and Filippo act as the wide centre-backs to cover the space behind the wing backs, while Emre holds the central position to command the area. The unit can step up to trigger a press or drop into a low block to protect the goal. This defensive line works to stay compact and deny the turn to any oncoming attackers.

The midfield engine is driven by a three-man midfield with a carrier and two wide players. Giannis operates as the attacking ten behind the strikers to find pockets of space and play through the lines. Joey and Marcel occupy the central areas to connect the defense and attack, with one player often dropping to receive and the other driving forward with the ball. On the flanks, Kauã and Carney provide the width, acting as wing backs who can push up to support the attack or track back to defend.

The attacking unit relies on two forwards in a partnership. Fábio and Samuele work together to pin the last defender and create space for the midfielders. They use link-up play between the lines to move the ball forward, often using one player to hold up the ball while the other looks for runs in behind. When the team wins the ball back, they look to hit in behind on the transition, using the wide presence of Kauã and Carney to stretch the defence.

Borussia Dortmund finds success by creating wide overloads when the wing backs push high. The formation also provides numerical superiority in midfield, allowing the team to control the tempo and recycle possession effectively. The ability to press in coordinated waves makes it difficult for opponents to play out from the back.

This 3-5-2 lineup is a high-intensity system designed to dominate the center of the pitch. It is most effective against teams that play with a single pivot or struggle to cope with constant pressure in the half-spaces.