The conclusion to the 2022/23 Bundesliga season was about as heartbreaking as it gets for fans of Borussia Dortmund.
With a points advantage heading into the final matchday of the season, an underwhelming draw at home to Mainz handed their fiercest rivals, Bayern Munich, an 11th consecutive league title.
As the current campaign has evolved over the past months, Edin Terzić’s side have failed to build upon their excellent domestic season, currently finding themselves below the likes of Stuttgart and the title-contending Bayer Leverkusen.
With a lot of ground to make up, it was increasingly important that sporting director Sebastian Kehl was able to strengthen the squad within the winter transfer window and give Dortmund the best chance possible of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, with January acquisitions bringing a new lease of life.
One of those acquisitions was Dutch Under-21 international left-back Ian Maatsen, who arrived in Germany on a short-term loan from Chelsea.
Fresh from a victorious 2022/23 season, winning promotion to the Premier League with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, Maatsen has struggled for regular appearances at Chelsea.
His utilisation under Mauricio Pochettino left much to be desired, encouraging his parent side to look for potential loan suitors in the transfer window.
Thus far, he has certainly impressed since donning the yellow and black of Dortmund, with many fans calling for him to be signed permanently ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
This tactical analysis and Ian Maatsen scout report will begin to highlight the dynamic playstyle and energy that Maatsen has injected into this Dortmund side.
His implementation into Terzić’s squad has become a catalyst for his new teammates to thrive, with progressive tactics suiting the technical expertise which makes Maatsen worthy of analysis as such a heavily sought-after modern-day full-back.
How does Ian Maatsen fit into Dortmunds system?
Since his inclusion in the starting lineup against Darmstadt after the Bundesliga winter break, Maatsen has made the left-back spot his own, displacing summer signing Ramy Bensabaini.
His refreshing presence in the Dortmund side has left many fans wondering how Chelsea had overlooked his clear potential.
But how is it that Maatsen operates and has begun to elevate the performances of his new team?
In Edin Terzić’s preferred variations of the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, Maatsen has been deployed on the left side of the back four, with freedom to operate within each of the thirds, becoming so important in and out of possession.
His attacking prowess and tendency to surge forward is supported by the defensive stalwart Nico Schlotterbeck alongside him, knowing that adequate defensive cover is there should the opposition look to instigate a damaging counter-attack.
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