Category: Match Analysis
-
Bundesliga 2019/20: Borussia Dortmund vs Augsburg – tactical analysis
The current situation for Borussia Dortmund and Augsburg before the first matchday of the new season couldn’t be more different. Lucien Favre’s team beat Bayern in the German Super Cup 2-0 and got away with a victory in the first round of the DFB Cup against Ürdingen. In addition, they bought with Mats Hummels, Nico…
-
Bundesliga 2018/19 Tactical Analysis: Borussia Dortmund vs Fortuna Düsseldorf
Borussia Dortmund hosted Fortuna Düsseldorf in a match that had a massive effect on the Bundesliga title race. Die Schwarzgelben were holding on to a hopeful lead at the top of the table for a majority of the season, but recent inconsistencies in results, including a crushing 5-0 loss to Bayern Munich, had caused them to…
-
Bundesliga 2018/19: Freiburg vs Borussia Dortmund
It was five matches until the end of 2018/19 season of Bundesliga, before this match. Freiburg had 32 points, 11 more than Stuttgart who are 16th place in the table, so they could play this match without pressure. But, Freiburg were in a crisis. In the last four matches, Freiburg only managed to get two points and…
-
How Mainz’s 4-3-1-2 nearly turned the match around against Borussia Dortmund
The match between Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05 set an example for how different two halves can be. In the first half Dortmund completely dominated Mainz, who defended in a 5-3-2. With half-space combinations as well as chipped balls behind the backline, Dortmund created chances en masse. In the second half however, Mainz changed their…
-
How did Bayern Munich run riot on Borussia Dortmund?
The 100th edition of Der Klassiker in the Bundesliga came with heightened stakes. Borussia Dortmund jumped out ahead in the race for the league title during the first half of the season. The side from northwest Germany has been led by a collection of young attackers, such as Jadon Sancho and Christian Pulišić, who is due to leave for Chelsea in the summer.…
-
Dortmund’s positional play overcame struggles against Stuttgart’s defensive approach
When a team from the top of the table meets another one from the relegation zone, it usually doesn’t hold too much tactical interest due to the huge distance between the teams in performance which results in an easy three points for the stronger team. However, the match between Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart in the…
-
Formation masterclass: why did Augsburg stun Borussia Dortmund?
With 11 matches left to play in the Bundesliga, relegation battlers Augsburg hosted the ‘powerhouse’ of the division, Borussia Dortmund. With six points gained in six matches but with home advantage, Augsburg couldn’t possibly challenge the division leaders, could they? Similarly, Dortmund have only taken 12 points from a possible 18 since January. This would present…
-
Borussia Dortmund’s title push falters with draw away to 1. FC Nürnberg
Borussia Dortmund’s season has begun to stutter in recent weeks. Coming into the fixture against bottom side 1. FC Nürnberg, Die Schwarzgelben were without a win in four games, having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League as well. Their previous league game had seen them draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, and with Bayern…
-
How did Pochettino break down the Bundesliga leaders?
After Lucas Moura’s 85th minute equaliser against Barcelona at the Nou Camp, Tottenham had narrowly qualified for the Champions League knockout stages ahead of Inter Milan. Spurs have not reached the quarter-final stage of the competition since they were knocked out by Real Madrid in 2011. This year Spurs face a tough tie with group…
-
Hoffenheim come back from the dead in six-goal chaos
Going into this matchday Borussia Dortmund held a seven-point lead over fierce rivals Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table. This lead may not seem much, but for the last six seasons Bayern have won the title with ease as their opponents have struggled to maintain a serious title challenge. The last team…