SC Paderborn – Borussia Dortmund: Dortmund Overrun A Well Prepared Defense With A Second Half Blitz (1-6)

Dortmund’s versatility and persistence gnawed away at a dogged Paderborn. The well prepared home defense stood tall in the first half, but was not fit enough to last the full ninety minutes. 
Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly.

Before Monday’s match-up, Paderborn went unbeaten for three games, but did not manage to get out any wins during their streak. They are therefore still stuck in last place with a eight-point deficit. A bleak reality with barely any light at the end of the tunnel. 

Steffen Baumgart, hopelessly looking for escapes, named two changes. At right back Mohamed Dräger replaced Laurent Jans, and Sebastian Schonlau pushed up from central defense into deep midfield, leaving Christian Strohdiek in his place. The eleven still maintained at least remnants of their prior 4-4-2 formation.

Lucien Favre’s Dortmund were likely still hungover from their crushing home defeat to Bayern Munich last week, which surely killed off any hopes of a title challenge at this late stage. 

As they attempted to dust themselves off, and fend off the teams below creeping up on them, the head coach also made two changes. Star striker Erling Braut Håland was out because of an injury. This gave way to Jadon Sancho’s first start since football’s return, the man that was struggling to get match fit. Furthermore, Emre Can replaced Mahmoud Dahoud to partner Thomas Delaney in Favre’s continued 3-4-3 system.

Early plus points for the home side
Paderborn’s early resistance was more than admirable. In their 4-4-1-1 shape, the center-forward, Steli Mamba, would curve his press out . . .