The match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig was already a battle for Champions League spots on the first matchday. As both sides played under new head coaches, one did not really know what to expect. Nevertheless, both sides prefer to control the game. Compared to Dortmunds possession-based approach, Leipzig prefer to create chaotic situations to control the transition phases. Therefore, the match was also a battle between two different tactical approaches. In the following, we will discuss whether the methods of the two teams were effective and promising for the future.
Team News
Dortmund and Leipzig both used different formations throughout the pre-season. Whereas Favre chose the 4-3-3 that he already deployed in several pre-season matches, Rangnick unexpectedly set his team up in an extremely centre-focused 4-3-1-2.
Favre lined up new signings Witsel and Delaney in the center together with Dahoud being preferred to Götze. The attack was built by Reus and Pulisic on the wings and Philipp as the striker. In the back-four, the young Diallo and Akanji played in the center and Schmelzer and Piszczek played as full-backs. Last but not least, Bürki won the battle in the goalkeeper position against Hitz.
Rangnick lined up Gulacsi as the goalkeeper, the youngsters Konaté and Upamecano as centre-backs and Klostermann and Saracchi on the full-back positions. In the midfield, Rangnick set his side up in a diamond with Demme as the single pivot, Sabitzer and Kampl as more advanced central midfielders and Forsberg on the playmaker position. Up front, Augustin and Poulsen were lined up as strikers and Werner was benched.
