Why Borussia Dortmund should consider switching to a back three

Six reasons why Borussia Dortmund should consider switching to a back three

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - AUGUST 12: Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund gestures during the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund at Europa-Park Stadion on August 12, 2022 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. (Photo by Helge Prang - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) /

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Jude Bellingham (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /

Provides more creative freedom for midfielders

Jude Bellingham and Marco Reus haven’t been able to make the impact they would have liked so far this season. The latter scored a goal against Leverkusen after the keeper’s rebound on Karim Adeyemi’s shot, but he did not have much impact during that overall match. He also provided two assists against Bremen, but they had more to do with incredible finishing from Brandt and Guerreiro.

Bellingham, for the most part, has not been able to pick up where he left off last season just yet. A possible justification for the team’s lack of goals and creativity is his need to cover spaces on the edge of Borussia Dortmund’s box during defensive transitions, which leads him away from where I think he is the deadliest: in the final third of the pitch.

Switching to a back three would not only give the wing-backs more freedom to attack, but that same principle also applies to Reus and Bellingham. They would be allowed to drive closer to the opposing box, providing more key passes and shooting power in that pitch area without having to worry as much about doing defensive work in transition.