Sevilla 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: An analysis of BVB’s memorable Champions League win

The Second Half

Borussia Dortmund were now bringing the full backs quite deep when trying to build up using wide areas. They did this to stretch Sevilla vertically down the wings and use the eight on that side to act as a wall pass into the winger dropping deeper into the space to receive.

The Sevilla centre backs were very risk averse in the build up phase, continuing to play horizontal passes around what was now a back three when Jordan was available to receive a vertical pass through the first line of the press and help Sevilla progress up the pitch.

When they were able to get the ball to the midfielders, they started to get players forward. Suso and Gomez were drifting into the half spaces to create vertical passing lanes for the home side.

Sevilla having a forward in the half space meant Guerreiro had to come inside to mark them, which opened space for the right wing back to venture forward.

Sevilla were crowding the ball side to try and use wall passes to play around the Dortmund midfielders and progress through the lines.

Borussia Dortmund were now pressing in a 4-3-3. This meant Sevilla had numerical superiority in the wide areas as they were in a 3-2-5 formation. Below you can see the ball being played out to the Sevilla right wing back which forces Guerreiro to come out and close him down, something which he did well.

Although Sevilla did find a way through the Dortmund defence in the second half, it was through a set-piece. Their attacking play was blunted really well by the attackers defending from the front, and the midfielders playing with great discipline. The defenders weren’t tested as much in the second half, but stood up to the task whenever called upon.

Borussia Dortmund tried to build up from the back and aimed to stop Sevilla playing through the lines with high pressing in the first half and a much lower block in the second. Although Sevilla took their foot off the gas after going 1-0 up, Edin Terzic’s side did well to contain them for large parts of the game by nullifying their attacking threats by pressing high up the pitch and moving the ball up quickly through their midfield.

That was helped in parts by the energy of Mahmoud Dahoud and Jude Bellingham in midfield, as well as the defensive work of Marco Reus. Erling Haaland’s determination and speed on the transition also made a big impact, as he linked up with Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus to score his two goals.