Bundesliga 2019/20: RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund

RB Leipzig welcomed Borussia Dortmund to an empty Red Bull Arena in what was an important game for the home side as they looked to secure a top-four finish in the Bundesliga. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were undone by a supreme performance by Dortmund, who have now secured 2^nd place after Bayern Munich clinched the title earlier in the week. A double from Erling Braut Haaland was enough for Lucien Favre’s side to take three points but luckily for Leipzig, their top-four rivals Bayer Leverkusen were unable to capitalise as they also lost 2-0 to Hertha Berlin. This means that a Champions League place is all but secured for Leipzig.

This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by both Köln and Leipzig in this Bundesliga match. The analysis will highlight Dortmund’s success in build-up play, Leipzig’s set-up and their tactical changes throughout the game.

Lineups

Leipzig manager Nagelsmann organised his starting line-up in a typically flexible 5-3-2 formation. Péter Gulácsi once again starts in goal with a familiar back five of Angeliño, Marcel Halstenberg, Lukas Klostermann, Dayot Upamecano and Nordi Mukiele. Kevin Kampl, Marcel Sabitzer and Emil Forsberg started in the midfield three, staying very compact in the middle of the pitch. The complementary duo of Timo Werner and Patrik Schick completed the starting eleven as a front two.

Dortmund began with a similar set-up as Leipzig but in a 3-5-2 formation that they used for the majority of the fixture. Favre opted for a back three consisting of regular starters Łukasz Piszczek and Mats Hummels and paired them with Emre Can. Axel Witsel sat as the single pivot with Giovanni Reyna and Julian Brandt just ahead of the Belgian. The wing-backs were Raphael Guerreiro and Mateu Morey, who replaced Achraf Hakimi. Thorgan Hazard started up front alongside teenage marksman Erling Braut Haaland, who now has 13 Bundesliga goals in just 14 appearances.