Bundesliga 2018/19: Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart

This analysis of Borussia Dortmund vs Stuttgart was first seen on our Borussia Dortmund network site echteliebe.uk.

Dortmund four, Stuttgart zero. The boys in black and yellow pulled off another impressive win on the weekend, thanks to some slick attacking football and excellent finishing. Stuttgart came into this game with a new coach as Markus Weinzierl made his debut at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in place of Tayfun Korkut. Korkut, having overseen a string of poor results this season, was relieved of his duties. This made for an entertaining narrative ahead of kick-off as the best team thus far this season, came up against the team at the bottom of the table. Needless to say, Dortmund did what they were expected to do and duly thrashed their hosts with goals from Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus, Paco Alcacer and Maximillien Phillip. Although Dortmund were in control for the majority of the game, the game had an interesting dynamic from a tactical point of view. So read on, and enjoy the piece about what was yet another quality Bundesliga game.

Lineups:

Stuttgart (4-3-3):??Zieler; Maffeo, Baumgartl, Pavard, Insua; Ascacibar, Castro, Gentner; Thommy, Gomez, Gonzalez

Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Burki; Pisczcek, Diallo, Zagadou, Hakimi; Witsel, Delaney; Sancho, Reus, Larsen; Alcacer

Dortmunds Slow Build-Up Creates Space In Behind Stuttgarts Midfield Line:

Dortmunds use of slow build-up play and quick transitions into attack has been the main feature of their attacking play this season. This tactic has allowed them to exploit teams who lack coordination and compactness while pressing. Stuttgart coming into this game having the joint 3rd worst defensive record in the Bundesliga&already a sign that they were going to have trouble containing Dortmunds so far efficient (and lucky), attack.

The first goal was scored only two minutes after kick-off through Sancho. Pablo Maffeo was caught out of position as Dortmund regained the ball in midfield before Larsen was put through on the left flank. His run attracted both Baumgartl and Ascacibar (Stuttgarts holding midfielder) which left space in midfield for Reus to run into and receive a pass from Larsen. Reuss unsuccessful cross was picked up by Sancho whose shot was deflected into the goal for the opener. 1-0 Dortmund.

The opening goal set the tone for the game and it highlighted how important the space in behind Stuttgarts midfield was to Dortmund. Dortmund have thrived this season by drawing the oppositions forward and midfield lines forward and attacking that area incisively. The pace, skill and combination play between their front four allows them to make the most of the space provided to them.

Stuttgarts defensive strategy was clearly to disrupt Dortmunds build-up by pressing high or to at least slow down their progression by setting up in a midfield block but neither attempt worked. Stuttgart used a space-oriented zonal marking system, looking to press the ball carrier and congest the space around him, thus limiting his pass options. When they had no access to the ball, they were more passive and organised themselves into a midfield block. This is where the first problem for Stuttgart lay. As a team, they looked unsure as to when they had to transition to a high press from their more passive mid-block organisation or when to retreat into passive mode when they lost access to the ball during a high press. This played right into the hands of Dortmund who found ways to bypass them while under pressure or alternatively, stretch the Stuttgart mid-block and combine to take advantage of the open gaps when the lack of pressure allowed them to circulate the ball into wide areas.

The positioning and movement of Dortmunds players was another problem that Stuttgart faced defensively. Upfront, Paco, Sancho and Larsen all did a good job of pinning back the opposing backline while Reus floated in behind the midfield line. Witsel and Delaney both played deep in midfield but would position themselves at different heights. The key to creating space to use to progress was the width that the fullbacks provided and the positioning of Reus. During the build-up, Dortmund made good use of backwards and sideways passes to create space horizontally and vertically. Once they found space they would quickly combine and progress past Stuttgarts lines of pressure and transition directly into attack. The different heights of Witsel and Delaney and the ball oriented positioning of Reus created staggering and triangulation allowing their combination play to come off quickly and smoothly. Once in behind the midfield line, Dortmunds forward would stream forward, moving into open channels, playing one-two combinations and this meant that they created many good opportunities throughout the first half. The width of Sancho and Larsen also opened up channels further up the field  another way in which their positioning created space in dangerous areas. By the 24th minute, they were 3-0 up and the game seemed to have already reached its conclusion.

Stuttgart In Possession:

Stuttgarts plan in attack was to create chances using the classic route one style of play. Their tactic was to play long passes from the back into their taller players; Mario Gomez, who played at centre-forward and Gentner who would make runs from deep. These players would either hold up the ball, play it wide and progress or head the ball on for the wingers Gonzalez and Thommy to latch on to (using their pace) and continue the attack. Because Dortmund dominated possession and because they rarely conceded space while organised in their mid-block, this tactic only came off a few times. That was when Stuttgart saw an opportunity to counter-attack immediately after Dortmund lost possession in advanced areas. They were never intent on playing out the back and when they did have possession, Dortmund found it easy to regain the ball. There was no structure that supported passing and movement sequences to create space. Given the pace of their wingers and Gomez aerial ability, they couldve done more to focus the progression of their attacks down the wings. From there they would be able to create opportunities from crosses, just like they did in the 2nd half.??But the high pressing Dortmund executed forced long balls which they won more often than not allowing them to restart their slow build-up game.