Borussia Dortmund uses a 4-2-3-1 formation with inverted wingers and attacking fullbacks. They press aggressively to win the ball back high up the pitch. In attack, they look to progress the ball into the space between the opponent's lines through combinations between their attacking midfielders and wingers. Their wingers cut inside to overload the center while fullbacks provide width. They can launch quick counters or work the ball into the box from out wide via cutbacks and crosses.

1. 1 Borussia Dortmund: tactical analysis (based on games vs Schalke-04 and vs Hamburger SV)

3. full-backs actively took part in attacking actions - provided width in attacks

4. Holding midfielders positioned in vertical line – one is more involved in attacksBelow first XI in games – one change in the position of one of holding midfielder

5. 3 Borussia D: substitutions In both games new wing midfielders were put for the last quarter of the game Substitutions in game vs Schalke-04: 22. S.Bender -> 5. Kehl 75` 14. Perischis -> 11. Gotze 75` 7. Leintner -> 24. Lowe 77` Repositions from 77 min: 19. Groskreutz moved to the position of left FB 14. Perisic came in as left midfielder 7. Leintner - as right midfielder Repositions from 76 min: 19. Groskreutz moved to the position of left FB 14. Perisic came in as left midfielder 16. Błaszczykowski - as right midfielder Substitutions in game vs Hamburger SV: 14. Perischis -> 24. Lowe 75` 16. Błaszczykowski -> 11. Gotze 75` 5. Kehl -> 23. Kagawa 90` Twitter: @petrchulkov

6. Twitter: @petrchulkov 4 Tactics of the opponent: Schalke-04 Schalke played 4-4-2 with dropping forward (# 7. Raul ). In terms of digits BVB was tempted to get overmanning in the centre of the field, but Raul dropped down and in defensive stage acts as central midfielder. In defensive stage the team played as 4-1-4-1 closing the zone between the lines (by #32. Matip) and negate the space for Kagawa to receive the ball in the central zone outside penalty box for developing the attack. Main aim for BVB was to crack the holding zone – create free space there and get the ball there In attack the team could get the advantage if wing midfielders of BVB don't join attack. Especially the zone of the right fullback of BVB could have been exposed due to high level of activity of Piszchek in attack. Actually, the team rarely used fast flank attacks - more usually played long balls, to flank as well.

7. Twitter: @petrchulkov 5 Tactics of the opponent: Hamburger SV Hamburger SV played 4-2-3-1 system In defensive stage the team played as 4-4-1-1 and focused on impeding of attacks of BVB: pressing holding midfielders of BVB as they got the ball in short build-up and use high flank pressing in case the ball was lost in that zone in attacks. The central zone between the lines of defense and midfield was rather free - pair of holding midfielders of Hamburger SV played vertically and defensive line was not close to them. Main task for BVB was to organize the first pass in attack avoiding pressing of the Hamburger SV – finally central defenders acted as organizer of attacks. In attack the team predominantly used long balls (no success due to excellent heading skills of central defenders of BVB) and attempted to get the ball to the final stage through flank runs of midfielders (BVB succeed at closing the flanks). The team created threats at the goal of BVB after fast flank attack or diagonal to flanks

10. Kagawa took part in pressing close to central line – ensure numeric advantage in the zone of the ball. Close to goal it was ensured participation of Gundogan in pressing.

11. One of the holding midfielder (Kehl/Bender) dropped down to close the central zone; acted personally against the opponent’s player in holding zone

12. Gundogan provided direct covering to the flanks players

13. Respective central defender provided covering in depth – allowed full-back pressing the opponent high from penalty area.To be noted: excellent heading of central defenders. Twitter: @petrchulkov

16. Diagonal to the opposite flank: in defensive stage BVB accumulated team players practically on one side of the filed – the diagonal to the opposite flank and advancing feedback exposuredthe flank of BVB (advantage in numerical term for the time of defense’s shifting) Twitter: @petrchulkov

17. Twitter: @petrchulkov 9 Attack: transition to attack (general) 1. The aim in transition to attack: delivery the ball to the central zone outside the penalty area (between the lines od defense and midfielders) from where final stage of the attack started Alternative way for getting the ball to the final stage of attack – through fullbacks who got ball and made run into the attacking third of the opponent. 2. Core in transition to attack: BVB created space in this zone or got overmanning there by means of the movements of Kagawa and wing midfielders (Gotze, Groskreutz) in the 1st stage of attack (in details – below) 3. Central defenders (especially, Hummels) or holding midfielders decide on the direction of the attack –pass for ball delivery to attack – most of the passes low and vertical, had medium length. 4. In case of interception of the ball in central zone on own half the team launched fast attacks

22. Pass to flank on advancing fullback – pass or low cross into the penalty area. The zone on the flank was opened by the movements of wing midfielder into the center. 4 players (Kagawa, wing midfielders, Lewandowski) attacked the ball in penalty area.

23. In some situations Kagawa used shoot outside the penalty box from central zone

26. In fast attacks and positional attacks the last pass is delivered diagonally into following zones:

27. Attacks mostly were performed through right flank – Gotze and Piszchek were more involved

28. Lewandowski was not good at heading – long balls as the route of the attack is no good optionTwitter: @petrchulkov

30. 3 players (Hummels, Santana, Lewandowski) attacked the ball starting from the line of the penalty box

31. 1 player (Groskreutz or Pizschek) impeded to the goalkeeper

32. Gundogan and Kagawa were positioned to collect rebounds