How Julian Brandt influenced Borussia Dortmund’s derby win over Schalke

Building out of the back

With Schalke committing numbers up for a majority of the game due to the deficit, Dortmund had plenty of chances to go on the break, and it always seemed to start from Julian Brandt. The German international gave Achraf Hakimi and Haaland opportunities to run at and in behind the Schalke backline and show off their pace.

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He had 82 touches of the ball, won the majority of his duels, and was always looking for the forward pass to set up those in front of him.

It gave a feeling of control for Lucian Favre’s side throughout the game, as it always looked like they were the more likely team to score. Brandt would start the play for Dortmund’s fourth goal with some more composed play in the midfield before finding Guerreiro in space, although this one was more about Guerreiro and Haaland’s give and go to set up the former for his second of the game.

Brandt’s quick play was also instrumental in Dortmund playing around Schalke’s press in their own defensive third. The quick field switches to either wingback and outside centre back gave Dortmund avenues to get the ball out of the back and he also threw in a collection of cheeky flicks to try and quick-start the attacks and was rarely dispossessed no matter what he tried back there.

Brandt also helped out defensively, making nine recoveries, five tackles and winning ten duels. He was simply unstoppable against Schalke, and hopefully he can keep this run going to help Borussia Dortmund in their title bid.