Bundesliga Matchday 5: Tactical Breakdown and Key Takeaways
Bundesliga fans witnessed another action-packed weekend on Matchday 5, with high-scoring affairs, tactical masterclasses, and some shocking results. Bayern Munich’s emphatic win, Leipzig’s ongoing struggles, and Borussia Dortmund’s persistent defensive issues all made headlines. Here’s a comprehensive tactical review of the standout matches.
FC Köln vs. RB Leipzig: Organized Defending Halts Leipzig’s Firepower
Entering the fifth matchday, FC Köln found themselves four points ahead of RB Leipzig, a surprise given Leipzig’s superior squad depth on paper. However, Köln’s tactical discipline told a different story on the pitch, as they effectively neutralized Leipzig and forced a 1-1 draw.
Köln established a tightly compact 4-1-4-1 defensive formation, minimizing the spaces between lines and denying Leipzig’s attackers room to maneuver. Their relentless pressing and collective desire to regain possession disrupted Leipzig’s rhythm for the first 70 minutes.
Possession stats reflected this mutual control, with Köln holding 48% and Leipzig 52%. This evenly balanced approach has become a trademark under coach Steffen Baumgart, showcasing the team’s evolution in holding and using the ball more effectively.
Whenever Köln won back possession, they immediately attempted to exploit Leipzig’s high defensive line with quick breakaways. Anthony Modeste and Mark Uth posed a constant threat in transition, but frequent offside calls—often due to Modeste’s eagerness—undermined their efforts. After sustained pressure, Köln finally broke through, capitalizing after Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan inadvertently set up Modeste.
Leipzig found it difficult to unlock Köln’s defensive organization and only started troubling their opponents after conceding. The introduction of Emil Forsberg and Dominik Szoboszlai added energy and directness, but Köln goalkeeper Timo Horn produced timely saves to keep the scores level.
As the match wore on, Köln’s intensity waned, creating opportunities for Leipzig to exploit one-touch combinations and the creative skills of Christopher Nkunku. Playing over the top forced Köln deeper and eventually led to Leipzig’s equalizer, though they left it too late to claim all three points.
Of particular tactical interest were the teams’ shifting shapes. Köln attacked in more of a 4-1-3-2, pushing Duda forward alongside Uth and Modeste, while reverting to a rigid 4-1-4-1 out of possession. Leipzig pressed in a 4-2-2-2 but attacked in a 4-2-3-1, which occasionally left space for Köln midfielders like Ellyes Skhiri to drive through the center. Despite Leipzig’s possession dominance late on, Köln’s positional discipline ultimately secured a valuable draw, moving them up to sixth in the table as Leipzig’s frustrations under Jesse Marsch grew.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Union Berlin: Goals Galore, but Defensive Woes Persist
Borussia Dortmund’s reputation for thrilling, high-scoring encounters continued with a 4-2 home triumph over Union Berlin. While their attack remains fearsome, defensive vulnerabilities—particularly on set pieces—continue to be a concern.
Manager Marco Rose implemented a switch to a 4-3-3 formation, moving away from the inconsistent diamond setup. This adjustment allowed Erling Haaland to play centrally, maximizing his goal threat, while captain Marco Reus enjoyed license to drift and combine across the final third. Jude Bellingham’s energetic forward runs complemented Reus’s movement, and right-back Thomas Meunier surged forward to great effect, notching his third assist in as many matches.
Throughout the match, Dortmund looked most effective when transitioning at pace, with Bellingham and Reus linking up quickly before searching for Haaland’s incisive runs. The Norwegian striker’s movement between defenders freed space for teammates and proved too much for Union’s backline to consistently contain.
Union Berlin set up with a 4-4-2 shape, seeking to hit Dortmund on the counter. Despite Dortmund controlling nearly 63% possession, Union’s main threat came from set pieces, again exposing Dortmund’s Achilles’ heel. Mats Hummels’s return offered some stability, yet lapses in concentration allowed Union to stay within reach for much of the game.
Ultimately, Dortmund’s attacking fluency overpowered Union, but their ongoing defensive issues suggest there’s still work for Rose and his staff if they are to mount a sustained title challenge.
Bayern Munich vs. VfL Bochum: Ruthless Bayern Topple Bochum with Seven-Goal Display
Bayern Munich delivered the most eye-catching performance of the weekend, dismantling newly-promoted VfL Bochum 7-0 at the Allianz Arena and claiming the Bundesliga’s top spot for the first time this season.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side played from the back with a two-plus-three build, involving central defenders and midfield pivots alongside Thomas Müller to bypass Bochum’s initial pressing. Fullbacks Alphonso Davies and Josip Stanisic pushed higher, while Bayern’s attackers—Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, and Müller—interchanged in tight areas. Müller, in particular, roamed across the pitch, drifting wide or deep to orchestrate play and destabilize Bochum’s shape.
As Bochum sat increasingly deep to contain Robert Lewandowski, midfielders Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka alternated in making late attacking runs, at times forming a 2-1-4-3 structure. Goretzka frequently drove into advanced areas, further overwhelming Bochum’s midfield.
Defensively, Bochum struggled to cope with Bayern’s tempo and precision, conceding turnovers through risky passes and failing to capitalize on their own attacking moments. Even with more attempted long passes than Bayern, Bochum rarely threatened, with Bayern’s organized backline comfortably dealing with the direct approach. In the end, the clash resembled a contest between teams on very different levels, reaffirming Bayern’s status as title favorites.
Bundesliga Matchday 5: Summary and Implications
Matchday 5 showcased the tactical variety and unpredictability of the Bundesliga. While Bayern look formidable in both possession and attacking variety, Borussia Dortmund continue to thrill and frustrate in equal measure. Meanwhile, FC Köln’s organized, disciplined approach under Steffen Baumgart demonstrates how tactical clarity can challenge even the league’s strongest squads. As Leipzig drop further down the table, questions grow about Jesse Marsch’s tenure and whether his approach can turn the tide.
With the season still in its early stages, the tactical narratives promise even more intrigue in the weeks ahead.
