Champions League

Back four for BVB - How Dortmund could line-up against Zenit

Lucien Favre opted to move away from his tried and tested three-man backline against Schalke, and the change worked

 
9:00am on Wednesday 28th October 2020
By
Martin Macdonald

Dortmund will be looking to get their Champions League group stage campaign up and running when they take on Zenit on Wednesday.

Despite heading into the first match as favourites against Lazio, the Bundesliga side lost 3-1 in Rome.

Following that defeat, Lucien Favre switched formation to a 4-2-3-1 in the weekend's fixture against Schalke, and it worked as Dortmund kept a clean sheet and won 3-0.

Dortmund: Squad, FC Ratings, Matches, Formations

2020/21 Champions League: Groups, Matches, Team Stats, Player Stats

With Emre Can currently missing due to coronavirus isolation, it will probably be two centre-backs against Zenit, with the returning Manuel Akanji having impressed against Schalke on Saturday. He'll partner Mats Hummels.

Jude Bellingham started the game against Lazio before being dropped for domestic action, and due to the increased level of performance from Dortmund it is likely that Thomas Delaney or Mahmoud Dahoud will partner Axel Witsel in central midfield.

The Belgian was left out of the starting XI at the weekend but will probably be reinstated for Champions League duty.

With regards to the front four, Favre may keep things as they were from Saturday with Jadon Sancho, Giovanni Reyna, and Julian Brandt supporting lone striker Erling Haaland.

Dortmund starting XI versus Zenit

BVB - Football tactics and formations

Latest news

Sheffield United vs Fulham Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Sheffield Utd and Fulham on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 8 hours

Chelsea vs Burnley Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Chelsea and Burnley on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 9 hours

Newcastle vs West Ham Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Newcastle and West Ham on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 10 hours

Lille vs Lens Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Ligue 1 tie between Lille and Lens on Friday, March 29th 2024 from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

  • 12 hours

Cadiz vs Granada Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the La Liga Primera clash between Cadiz and Granada on Friday, March 29th 2024 from Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.

  • 12 hours

Barnsley vs Cambridge United Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL League One game between Barnsley and Cambridge United on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 13 hours

Most read