Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Borussia Dortmund focus on a heavy high press and quick transitions using a 3-4-3. This lineup aims to win it back high up the pitch and use wide players to stretch the defence. The team looks to play a direct style that exploits the space left behind by an advancing opposition.

The goalkeeper starts the build up play from the back to move the ball into the defensive unit. A back three forms the foundation with a central defender flanked by a left centre back and a right centre back. These defenders defend zonally and work to stay compact when the team drops into a mid-block. The central defender acts as the leader of the line to command the space, while the wide defenders are prepared to step up or cover the channels if the wing backs are caught high.

In the middle of the pitch, the team operates with a four man midfield that links the defence to the attack. The two central midfielders work to protect the back three and win the second ball. One midfielder acts as a carrier to drive forward with the ball, while the other looks to recycle possession and find the feet of the attackers. The left and right midfielders play as wide midfielders who provide much of the width, tasked to track back and cover the wide areas when defending.

The attacking front three consists of a lone striker supported by a left winger and a right winger. The striker works to hold up the ball and pin the last defender, creating space for the wide players. Both the left winger and right winger cut inside to create overloads in the half spaces, often looking to play one-two combinations with the central attacker. This movement is designed to create runs in behind or allow for cutbacks from the byline when the wide midfielders push forward to overlap.

Borussia Dortmund gains a massive advantage through wide overloads when the midfielders and wingers combine to overwhelm the opposition flanks. The formation also allows for the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it difficult for the opponent to play out from the back. The compactness of the three central defenders makes it hard for teams to find gaps through the middle.

This 3-4-3 formation relies on intense pressing and rapid verticality to disrupt the opponent. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play under pressure or leave large gaps in the wide areas during transition.