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DFB-Pokal Semi-Final Preview; Should Dortmund Change Their Tactics?

By Joshua Sampson

MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY - APRIL 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-2 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park on April 22, 2017 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY - APRIL 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-2 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park on April 22, 2017 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – APRIL 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-2 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park on April 22, 2017 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – APRIL 22: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-2 during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park on April 22, 2017 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

First and foremost, thank you to Marco Schneider for the suggestion on having a tactical preview for today’s match.

With a victory in their weekend match against rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach, To Borussia Dortmund will be taking on another rival, Bayern Munich, in the DFB-Pokal semi-final. Dortmund will, however, have to hit the road to Munich to play Bayern at home, in which they are a formidable force.

Last Saturday in their Bundesliga match at home against FSV Mainz 05, Bayern failed to gain another win as they drew 2-2. Throughout the entire match, Mainz pressed Bayern high up the field and caused problems for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. As a high-pressure side themselves, can Dortmund do the same to upset the Bavarians?

With a three-back formation, Tuchel’s preferred formation, Dortmund gets a generous amount of sustained high pressure on their opponents. However, with a three-back formation, Dortmund have been susceptible to counter attacks and opposing wingers getting behind the defense.

In all honesty, there isn’t a worse opponent for Dortmund than Bayern. With Dortmund facing injuries in the midfield and having a three-back as their preferred formation, will Thomas Tuchel mess around with his tactics to counteract Bayern?

Most likely not.

MONACO, MONACO – APRIL 19: Head coach Thomas Tuchel of Borrussia Dortmund is disapointed during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg between AS Monaco and Borussia Dortmund at Stade Louis II on April 19, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images )
MONACO, MONACO – APRIL 19: Head coach Thomas Tuchel of Borrussia Dortmund is disapointed during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg between AS Monaco and Borussia Dortmund at Stade Louis II on April 19, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images ) /

Hypothetically, if Tuchel moved to a four-back formation against Bayern, there would be more stability in the defense. The downside though of having a four-back would be that Dortmund would not get as much pressure on Bayern as they want. After watching the success that Mainz (and even Real Madrid to an extent) had, applying pressure on Bayern is the best way to attack the Bundesliga leaders.

In a win-or-go-home match, Dortmund should stick with what they know best, the three-back formation. Here are three things Dortmund needs to focus on if they want to upset Bayern at the Allianz Arena this afternoon.

Bayern Munich’s Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara plays the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v BVB Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on April 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Christof STACHE / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050(Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara plays the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v BVB Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on April 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Christof STACHE / RESTRICTIONS: DURING MATCH TIME: DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE TO 15 PICTURES PER MATCH AND FORBID IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO. == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE == FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT 49 69 650050(Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images) /

1. Don’t Give Bayern Easy Possession

  • Bayern loves to control the game with their possession. When they do, it is often tough or nearly impossible to beat them. In this match, Dortmund needs to pressure Bayern so that they cannot sit back and have natural possession. Dortmund needs to press up the field on Bayern. By doing so, Bayern will not get a foothold easily in the game which is crucial for a Dortmund win.

2. Don’t Hand Bayern the Ball 

  • Similarly to a previous article, Dortmund has a habit of committing dumb errors that lead to opponents goals. Against solid sides such as Monaco and Bayern, Dortmund has struggled because they give up the ball in dangerous areas of the field, thus leading to their opponents getting on the board. Simply, eliminate the turnovers Dortmund, or you will lose.

3. Finish Your Chance’s

  • In the game this past Saturday, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ended a little scoring drought by slotting home a goal. Aubameyang needs to continue that form as against Bayern if Dortmund wants to win. Manuel Neuer is out due to an injury sustained in the Champions League which is a plus to Dortmund. Dortmund still needs to take their chances as they don’t come all too often against Bayern at the Allianz Arena.
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