FEATURE | Could this formation help Borussia Dortmund achieve Champions League football next season? | OneFootball

New Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač has a massive task on his hands. His new employer currently sits in 11th place, and Champions League football looks less likely by the matchday.

As the transfer window closed a few days ago, Kovač knows the players he has at his disposal to achieve a miraculous turnaround and ensure that BVB plays in the Champions League next season.

Looking at his previous posts in the Bundesliga, could an old formation and tactic help propel Dortmund up the table and into the top four?

During his time at Eintracht Frankfurt between 2016 and 2018, Kovač often opted for a 3-5-2 formation with great success.

Playing with more offensive wing-backs could help the likes of Ramy Bensebaini and Couto, whilst the in-form Jamie Gittens could also be an option from this position.

The defensive block could be manned by the experienced trio of Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can, and Waldemar Anton. What’s more, Niklas Süle could be an option off the bench with his return to the squad imminent.

As reported by Sky Germany, Kovac appears keen to utilise Süle and thinks he is an option for Germany at the 2026 World Cup:

“If Niki is healthy, then I claim that he is a player for the 2026 World Cup.”

When it comes to the strike partnership in the 3-5-2 formation, Serhou Guirassy could be joined by summer signing Maximilian Beier. BVB hasn’t really played with a front two for some time, with previous managers choosing between the two forwards. Should Guirassy and Beier connect, they could be a deadly combination.

Another option in this formation could be using Julian Brandt in the number ten role. With two players in front of him, Brandt may have more opportunities to link up with players and express his natural creativity.

Is It Enough?

It’s the million-euro question: Will a change of formation be enough for BVB to move from 11th to 4th with 14 games to go?

Simply put: No, of course not.

Dortmund need determination, desire, and a basic feeling of belief that they’re good enough.

The team has been plagued with several injuries, but this does not excuse their utter failure to show desire and to not throw away games from winning positions.

This is possibly Kovac’s biggest task.

When asked about aiming for 4th place, the new coach was not interested:

“I don’t want to talk too much about league positions here. At the end of the day, the score will be settled, we have to be patient.”

Ultimately, there is work to be done, but it is not impossible. In 11th, Dortmund is just four points behind RB Leipzig in 4th.

BVB’s next few Bundesliga games run as: Stuttgart, Bochum, Union Berlin, St. Pauli, and Augsburg. A run of victories here, and Kovač’s appointment looks like a masterstroke by the BVB board.

GGFN | Jamie Allen