The Bundesliga returned with a Revier Derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, which turned out to be a very one-sided affair. This weekends games were shrouded in some uncertainty, with question marks around the fitness of the players, the sharpness of the players, and just how playing in an empty stadium in the current conditions would work. In the end, the tactics of each team collectively seemed unchanged due to the break, but the way in which, and also the quality in which they were executed did affect the game, particularly in Schalkes case. In this tactical analysis, we will look at how Dortmund were able to exploit Schalkes defensive system and dominate the game.
Lineups
Both sides lined up as predicted in my preview of the game, with some fitness issues meaning Dortmund werent at full strength. Schalke, who had recently dropped their 4-diamond-2 in favour of a back five against the oppositions who build with a back three, and so it was no surprise to see them utilise this system against Dortmund. Dortmund meanwhile used their 3-4-3 system which they have used largely since late last year, with a midfield box being used at times to create space. Mo Dahoud was the surprise inclusion due to Axel Witsels injury, while Dortmund used Julian Brandt as a part of the front three to replace Jadon Sancho, who was struggling for fitness.
Dortmund break the Schalke press
Schalke pressed in a 5-4-1 formation in the first half, which is outlined below. The central striker would press the central defender and goalkeeper, while if the ball was played to the wide centre backs, the winger in the 5-4-1 would jump to press. This pass to the wide centre back was usually Schalkes trigger to press. Dortmund meanwhile built in a 3-4-3, with the central midfielders staying both deep and narrow often, for reasons I will explain shortly. Dortmunds wing-backs provided width in a fairly deep area again, forcing the Schalke wing-back to prepare to press the Dortmund wing-back, as we can see below. As a result, with width provided the half-space opened, which is where Dortmunds inside forwards of Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard would operate. It was then the responsibility of the nearest central defender to jump from the back line to occupy the half-space.
We can see an example of this pressing scheme belo
