Borussia Dortmund Football Formation

Starting Lineup

Borussia Dortmund look to win the ball high up the pitch and strike quickly through a 5-2-3 formation. This lineup is built to use heavy pressing and rapid vertical transitions to catch opponents out of position. The goal is to create chaos in the opponent's half and use wide players to stretch the play.

Kobel sits between the posts to command the area and act as the first point of distribution. The defensive unit employs a back five that can shift into a mid-block when the team does not press. Veerman and Gadou operate as the central defenders to hold the line, while Anton acts as the left center back to cover wide spaces. Ryerson and Svensson act as attacking wing backs, tasked to push high and provide width. This allows the central defenders to stay compact and defend zonally when the opposition tries to play through the middle.

A double pivot controls the central area of the pitch for Borussia Dortmund. Sabitzer and Chukwuemeka work to protect the back five while also driving forward to support the attack. Sabitzer acts as a carrier to move the ball from deep, while Chukwuemeka works to win the second ball and intercept passes. This pair connects the defense to the front three by recycling possession and finding the players in the half spaces.

The attack relies on three players working in close combinations to pressure the back line. Beier leads the line as a pressing centre forward, looking to pin the last defender and fight for long balls. On the flanks, Nwaneri and Karetsas operate as wide wingers who look to cut inside and create chances. These attackers work to trigger a press as soon as possession is lost, forcing the opponent to play long. The movement is designed to create runs in behind and allow the wing backs to overlap the winger.

One major advantage for this lineup is the ability to press high in coordinated waves, making it very difficult for opponents to build from the back. The formation also offers width through Ryerson and Svensson, which creates wide overloads when they join the attack. This setup forces the opposition to defend a lot of space both centrally and out wide.

This 5-2-3 formation provides a solid base for a team that wants to dominate through high intensity and quick transitions. It is best suited for matches against teams that struggle to play out from the back under pressure.