Borussia Dortmund: Formation change the key to saving the season?

Impact of transfers

Zorc and Watzke have already made a couple of transformative moves in this winter window; the coup that brought Norweigan wonder kid Erling Braut Haaland to the Westfalenstadion, and the release of Julian Weigl, who had become a midfield institution since the days of Tuchel, to SL Benfica.

These two moves could have an interesting impact on the new formation. Julian Weigl is probably the third or fourth best centre back in the squad, as well as the third ranked midfielder; he had added defensive solidity alongside Brandt in the two man pivot. Reports say that Dortmund have no intentions of signing a replacement for the German international.

This could signal a more active role for Mahmoud Dahoud in the team, or a renewed reliance on the currently recovering Thomas Delaney and Axel Witsel, or the integration of youngster Tobias Raschl. Either way, it is another reduction of depth in a position that is relied upon heavily in this system, and brings it that much closer to crisis.

The signing of Håland is also an interesting and crucial edition. The former Salzburg striker is much more of a penalty box specialist than a link up striker (although this aspect of his game isn’t particularly weak). This makes him slightly less tailored for the current, fluid method of attacking, but not necessarily ineffective or a hindrance. Not worse, only different.

Most importantly, he will come into the position where club captain Marco Reus has been residing of late, and because the 3-4-3 lacks a number 10, there is no clearly reserved space for Reus in the starting XI. The wings are currently occupied by red hot Thorgan Hazard and Jadon Sancho, who boast more speed and skill, and are in better form. The combination of the formation change and signing of a promising striker could force Favre to drop one of Reus, Sancho or Hazard.