Borussia Dortmund is a club with a rich history, an attacking philosophy, and a passionate fanbase. They are known for their high-octane, fast-paced football, often scoring plenty of goals. However, in recent seasons, a glaring issue has emerged: the defense. Dortmund’s inability to maintain a solid backline has cost them valuable points in domestic and European competitions. Addressing these defensive issues is essential if Dortmund wants to return to the pinnacle of German football and compete consistently in the Champions League. In this article, we’ll examine what has gone wrong with Borussia Dortmund’s defense and how they can improve.

1. Analyzing the Defensive Woes

Borussia Dortmund’s attacking prowess is undeniable, but their defense has often been their Achilles’ heel. While they can outscore many opponents, their defensive lapses have frequently allowed weaker teams to claw back into games. The defensive frailty is not just a recent problem but has been a recurring issue for several seasons. Let’s dive into some of the main problems.

Lack of Defensive Cohesion

One of the most glaring issues with Dortmund’s defense is a lack of cohesion and organization. Unlike teams like Bayern Munich or Atletico Madrid, who are known for their structured and disciplined defense, Dortmund’s backline often looks disjointed. Whether it’s poor communication between center-backs or fullbacks being caught out of position, the team’s defensive setup often lacks the synergy required at the highest level of football.

This lack of cohesion can be traced to several factors, including frequent changes in personnel, tactics that leave the defense exposed, and a seeming lack of focus on defensive stability in training. In contrast, Dortmund’s attacking players often seem to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, while the defenders are left to figure things out on the fly.

Inconsistent Performances from Key Defenders

Dortmund has had some talented defenders over the years, but consistency has been a significant problem. Players like Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji, for example, have shown brilliance at times but have also had spells of poor form. Hummels, a seasoned veteran, has experience and leadership, but age has started to catch up with him, and he is no longer as mobile as he once was. Akanji, on the other hand, can be excellent on his day but is prone to lapses in concentration.

Full-backs like Thomas Meunier and Raphael Guerreiro have also been inconsistent. While Guerreiro is an attacking threat, his defensive contribution has been questioned, and he is often caught too high up the pitch, leaving space behind him. Meunier, meanwhile, has struggled to settle into the team and hasn’t provided the defensive solidity that was expected of him.

2. Tactical Issues Contributing to Defensive Frailty

Beyond individual performances, Borussia Dortmund’s defensive problems are also rooted in tactical issues. The club’s identity is built around attacking football, often at the expense of defensive stability. This imbalance in focus has left the defense exposed, especially in high-pressure situations.

High Defensive Line: A Risky Gamble

One of the tactical decisions that have come under scrutiny is the use of a high defensive line. While a high line can work well when executed perfectly, it requires quick and intelligent defenders who can read the game and recover swiftly. Dortmund, however, often struggles with this approach, particularly against teams that play on the counter-attack.

Playing a high line demands perfect positioning and timing from the backline, as well as excellent pressing from the midfield and attackers. When the press fails, or a single player is out of position, it creates space for opponents to exploit. Teams with fast attackers have found joy in countering Dortmund’s high line, often punishing them with swift breaks.

Lack of Defensive Midfield Support

Another tactical concern is the lack of support from the midfield in shielding the defense. While Dortmund boasts creative and dynamic midfielders like Jude Bellingham and Julian Brandt, they lack a true defensive midfielder who can break up play and provide cover for the backline.

A player like Axel Witsel has been used in this role, but he’s more of a deep-lying playmaker than a traditional ball-winning midfielder. Without a dedicated holding midfielder, Dortmund’s defense is often left vulnerable, especially against teams that dominate the midfield or transition quickly from defense to attack.

3. Key Defensive Players: Performances and Challenges

Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels, a Dortmund legend and World Cup winner, remains a key figure in the defense. His leadership, experience, and aerial ability are crucial for the team. However, Hummels’ lack of pace has become more apparent as he has aged, making it difficult for him to recover when the team is hit on the break.

To make the most of Hummels’ strengths, Dortmund needs to surround him with faster, more agile defenders who can compensate for his lack of speed. Additionally, Hummels’ leadership on the pitch can be vital in organizing the backline, but he needs to be supported by a tactical setup that minimizes his weaknesses.

Manuel Akanji

Manuel Akanji is another key defender who has shown promise but also inconsistency. Akanji’s physical attributes – his speed, strength, and tackling ability – make him a valuable asset. However, his decision-making and concentration have been questioned at times. In high-pressure games, Akanji has been known to make costly mistakes, which can undermine the entire defensive effort.

For Akanji to reach his full potential, he needs to develop greater consistency and mental toughness. Working closely with experienced defenders like Hummels could help Akanji mature into a more reliable center-back.

Raphael Guerreiro

Raphael Guerreiro is one of Dortmund’s most talented players, known for his technical ability and creativity. However, his defensive work has often been lacking. Guerreiro’s attacking instincts can leave gaps on the left side of the defense, and while he provides a lot going forward, his defensive contributions need improvement.

The challenge for Dortmund is finding the right balance between Guerreiro’s attacking threat and defensive responsibility. One solution could be playing with a more defensive-minded midfielder or right-back to cover for Guerreiro when he pushes forward.

4. Solutions: How Dortmund Can Improve Their Defense

Fixing Borussia Dortmund’s defensive issues requires both short-term adjustments and long-term strategic changes. Below are some potential solutions the club could explore to improve their defense.

A Focus on Defensive Organization

One of the first steps in improving Dortmund’s defense is focusing on organization. The coaching staff needs to prioritize defensive drills in training, ensuring that the backline and midfield understand their roles and responsibilities. Communication between defenders and the goalkeeper is crucial, and Dortmund needs to develop a clearer defensive structure.

Implementing a more disciplined defensive system, where players maintain their shape and position, could help reduce the number of goals conceded. This would involve reducing the reliance on pressing high up the pitch and focusing more on a compact defensive shape.

Investing in Defensive Talent

While Dortmund has some talented defenders, there is a clear need to invest in younger, more dynamic defensive players. The club has a history of developing young talent, and finding the right defensive prospects could be crucial in building a more solid backline.

Dortmund should look to sign a fast, commanding center-back who can play alongside Hummels or Akanji. This player should have the ability to read the game well and recover quickly, which would be ideal for a team that often plays a high line.

Additionally, a true defensive midfielder is essential for providing cover to the backline. A ball-winning midfielder who can break up play and shield the defense would reduce the pressure on the defenders and allow the attacking players more freedom to express themselves.

Tactical Adjustments

Tactically, Dortmund needs to strike a better balance between attack and defense. One way to do this is by playing with a more cautious approach against teams that are known for their counter-attacking abilities. Dropping the defensive line slightly and focusing on possession could help reduce the number of counter-attacks they face.

Furthermore, the midfielders need to take more responsibility for helping the defense. Implementing a double-pivot midfield system, where two midfielders sit deeper and provide cover, could be a solution. This would give the fullbacks more freedom to push forward without leaving the center-backs exposed.

Mental Toughness and Consistency

Finally, Dortmund needs to develop greater mental toughness, particularly in high-pressure games. The defense has often crumbled under pressure, especially in key moments of matches. To address this, the coaching staff must work on building the team’s resilience and focus. This can be done through mental conditioning exercises and preparing the players for high-stakes situations.

Borussia Dortmund has all the tools to be a dominant force in both German and European football. However, their defensive frailties have held them back from achieving consistent success. By focusing on improving defensive cohesion, investing in key defensive positions, and making tactical adjustments, Dortmund can address their weaknesses and build a more formidable backline.

If the club can fix these defensive issues, they will be in a much stronger position to challenge Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title and compete at the highest level in Europe.