Understanding Borussia Dortmund’s Defensive Transition Struggles
Whenever Borussia Dortmund appear poised to challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga crown, their ambitions are often derailed by underwhelming team performances and recurring tactical frailties. Marco Rose’s stint as manager has notably spotlighted the team’s defensive lapses—especially during rapid transitions. Following a heavy 5-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, it’s crucial to analyze the main factors undermining Dortmund’s defensive solidity and explore viable solutions for improvement.
Ineffective Midfield Structure: The Missing Double Pivot
One of the most glaring issues stems from Dortmund’s midfield arrangement. Marco Rose has frequently opted for formations like the 4-1-4-1 or 4-1-2-1-2, occasionally testing a 4-2-3-1. However, even when deploying two central midfielders, the setup rarely resembles a traditional double pivot. Jude Bellingham, often positioned as the second midfielder, is naturally suited for a more advanced, attacking role rather than providing defensive cover.
The absence of a genuine double midfield pivot leaves Dortmund with only one player to shield the defense during transitions. This approach sharply contrasts with top European outfits such as Manchester City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, which excel at protecting their back line even when using a single pivot—by virtue of superior team coordination and movement. Dortmund, unfortunately, lack both the coordinated movement and the personnel for this system. Axel Witsel’s physical limitations post-injury, Dahoud’s insufficient coverage, and Emre Can’s injury woes have shrunk Rose’s options. Additionally, the sale of Thomas Delaney exacerbated the situation, depriving the squad of a reliable defensive anchor.
A look back at Edin Terzic’s period as interim manager illustrates how pairing Can with Dahoud (in a 4-3-3) enabled Bellingham to venture forward safely, providing more balance between attack and defense. In contrast, Rose’s approach leaves wide expanses for opponents to exploit, particularly when fullbacks push high and only a lone midfielder guards the back line.
To address this, Dortmund should consistently field a double pivot—potentially combining Can, Witsel, or Dahoud—to stabilize transition phases. Furthermore, recruiting a dynamic defensive midfielder in upcoming transfer windows would help unlock the attacking potential of Bellingham and Brandt while reducing exposure during opposition counters.
Defensive Weaknesses: Pace and Personnel Problems
Dortmund’s defensive vulnerabilities aren’t limited to their midfield. Their commitment to attacking football often comes at the cost of leaving large areas exposed, especially during quick turnovers. Teams like Bayer Leverkusen have repeatedly exploited the flanks, taking advantage of advanced fullbacks and the lack of recovery pace among Dortmund’s back line.
Manuel Akanji is the solitary center-back with notable acceleration, while Mats Hummels, though adept at reading the game and organizing the defense, cannot compensate for the lack of speed across the back four. Hummels’s absences due to injury only magnify these deficiencies. Other center-back options—such as Axel Witsel playing out of position, or the inconsistent Marin Pongracic and often sidelined Dan-Axel Zagadou—add little in terms of pace or defensive acuity.
To reduce these recurring issues, Dortmund must not only revisit their midfield structure but also look ahead to reinforce central defense in future transfer markets. Prospective candidates like Maxence Lacroix, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Obite Evan Ndicka all offer greater athleticism and could help offset Dortmund’s pace disadvantage.
Overcommitted Fullbacks: Unbalanced Attacks and Exposed Flanks
The attacking intent of Dortmund’s fullbacks is a tradition that dates back to the club’s most successful eras. Under Marco Rose, both Thomas Meunier and Raphael Guerreiro are encouraged to frequently join attacks down the flanks. While this approach creates width and offensive impetus, it also leaves the team insufficiently protected during defensive transitions.
Often, both fullbacks surge forward simultaneously, resulting in the remaining defenders facing numerical disadvantages during quick counter-attacks. In these scenarios, central defenders are forced to cover additional ground in wide areas, which stretches the back line and creates gaps for opposing attackers.
Historically, Dortmund mitigated this risk by adopting a back-three system, allowing one center-back to shift wide without compromising central solidity. Alternatively, previous managers balanced their fullback adventures by ensuring a robust midfield shield, usually through a well-drilled double pivot or deploying experienced players like Lukasz Piszczek or Thomas Delaney in key roles.
The departure of seasoned fullbacks and injuries to promising replacements such as Mateu Morey have deepened Dortmund’s defensive woes. Recruitment priorities should include a defensively sound, fast right-back who can contribute in attack yet provide resilience against opposition wingers. Options like Jeremie Frimpong, Matty Cash, or Noussair Mazraoui offer the desired blend of pace and 1v1 defending ability.
In the short term, a tactical shift to a back-three, possibly with Emre Can dropping into the defense, could help plug the gaps and limit vulnerability on the flanks.
Conclusion: Charting a Path Back to Defensive Stability
Borussia Dortmund possess one of Germany’s most thrilling attacks, but their persistent issues in defensive transitions have repeatedly cost them in crucial matches. Under Marco Rose, the lack of coordinated pressing, absence of a reliable double pivot, and overcommitted fullbacks have left the team susceptible to rapid counters.
Key steps towards improvement include:
– Introducing a consistent double midfield pivot for greater defensive balance
– Reinforcing the squad with faster, more robust center-backs and fullbacks
– Considering tactical shifts such as adopting a back-three in high-risk fixtures
Ultimately, significant defensive progress will depend on either a tactical evolution from the current coaching staff or, potentially, a change in leadership. Without decisive adjustments, Dortmund’s ambition to close the gap with Bayern is likely to remain unfulfilled.
For more deep-dive analyses of Borussia Dortmund’s tactical trends and match performances, explore our additional resources below.
