🏆 Bundesliga Team of the Week – Round 22

Round 22 of the Bundesliga was not just about big scorelines. It was about control, dominance, and individuals who decisively shaped their matches. Several clubs delivered commanding performances, and this Team of the Week reflects those displays within a structure that makes tactical sense. Rather than forcing standout names into awkward positions, this XI is built around the 4-2-3-1, a formation that allows every selected player to operate in his most natural and impactful role.

Bundesliga Round 22 Top Performers That Suit Author's Pick For The Classic 4-4-2 System.

The backbone of this team begins with the commanding 4–0 victory of Borussia Dortmund over Mainz 05. Dortmund’s performance combined defensive authority with attacking ruthlessness, and several inclusions stem directly from that dominance. In goal, Gregor Kobel provided the assurance required behind an aggressive defensive line. Even when not constantly tested, his positioning and distribution maintained control. A team built in a 4-2-3-1 requires a goalkeeper who can initiate buildup calmly, and Kobel delivered exactly that.

At right-back, Julian Ryerson embodied balance. Dortmund’s wide structure relied on disciplined overlaps rather than reckless forward surges. Ryerson chose his moments intelligently, ensuring defensive stability while still contributing width in possession. His performance against Mainz demonstrated why he fits seamlessly into this system — energetic, tactically aware, and reliable in transitions.

In central defence, Keven Schlotterbeck further reinforced Dortmund’s authority. His proactive stepping into midfield areas disrupted Mainz’s attempts to progress through the centre. Alongside him in this XI is Ozan Kabak, who was instrumental in TSG Hoffenheim’s 3–0 victory over SC Freiburg. Kabak’s aerial dominance and assertive defending ensured Hoffenheim rarely looked threatened. In a 4-2-3-1, centre-backs must cover wide channels when fullbacks advance, and Kabak’s physical presence makes him ideal for that responsibility.

On the left side of defence, Edmond Tapsoba represents the structural intelligence behind Bayer Leverkusen’s emphatic 4–0 win against FC St. Pauli. While primarily known as a centre-back, Tapsoba’s composure in possession and ability to progress the ball forward suit the demands of a flexible back line. His inclusion reflects Leverkusen’s ability to dominate both defensively and territorially.

The midfield double pivot draws heavily from Bayern Munich’s 3–0 victory over Werder Bremen. Leon Goretzka provided forward thrust and physical superiority, timing his movements into advanced areas with precision. His presence in this 4-2-3-1 offers vertical drive from deep positions. Beside him, Joshua Kimmich orchestrated Bayern’s tempo with calm authority. His positional discipline and passing range ensured structural balance, allowing attacking players to operate freely without compromising defensive security.

In the attacking midfield role, Deniz Undav reflects the clinical sharpness displayed in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3–0 triumph over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Operating between the lines, Undav demonstrated spatial intelligence and composure in decisive moments. Within a 4-2-3-1, the number ten is the connective hub, linking midfield control to attacking execution. Undav’s Round 22 display captured that balance perfectly.

On the flanks, Leverkusen’s dominance again plays a major role. Ernest Poku delivered directness and penetration against St. Pauli, stretching defensive lines and forcing one-versus-one situations. In this system, wide players must alternate between maintaining width and attacking interior channels, and Poku’s explosiveness ensures constant defensive discomfort. On the opposite side, Yan Diomande adds composure and intelligent off-ball movement. His ability to exploit space during transitions aligns seamlessly with the attacking rhythm of a 4-2-3-1.

Leading the line is Serhou Guirassy, whose performance in Dortmund’s 4–0 victory over Mainz epitomised the responsibilities of a lone striker. More than just a finisher, Guirassy pinned defenders, created vertical depth, and triggered pressing sequences from the front. In a formation like the 4-2-3-1, the striker must function as both reference point and initiator, and his display in Round 22 justified that role emphatically.

🔎 Why 4-2-3-1 Makes Sense This Week

The performances across Round 22 demanded a system that balances attacking flair with structural control. The 4-2-3-1 allows for a dominant striker supported by a creative number ten and dynamic wide players, all shielded by a disciplined double pivot. With multiple clubs producing commanding victories — Dortmund, Leverkusen, Bayern, Hoffenheim, and Frankfurt — the standout players fit naturally into this shape.

This formation also reflects modern Bundesliga intensity. In possession, it can morph into a more aggressive attacking structure with fullbacks pushing high and midfielders rotating fluidly. Out of possession, it compresses into a compact defensive block, ensuring transitions are controlled rather than chaotic. The adaptability of the 4-2-3-1 mirrors the tactical maturity shown by these players in their respective matches.

💡 Tactical Identity of This XI

If this Team of the Week stepped onto the pitch together, its identity would revolve around structured aggression. Pressing would begin with Serhou Guirassy, supported immediately by Deniz Undav, forcing opponents into rushed decisions. The wide influence of Ernest Poku and Yan Diomande would stretch defensive lines horizontally, creating interior lanes for midfield runners.

Control in deeper areas would be dictated by Joshua Kimmich, while Leon Goretzka adds vertical penetration. Defensively, Keven Schlotterbeck and Ozan Kabak would maintain central dominance, supported by the disciplined positioning of Julian Ryerson and Edmond Tapsoba. Behind them, Gregor Kobel anchors the system with calm assurance.

This Round 22 XI is not simply a celebration of standout names. It is a carefully constructed tactical blueprint grounded in real performances from Dortmund, Leverkusen, Bayern, Hoffenheim, and Frankfurt. The 4-2-3-1 is not just a formation choice; it is the framework that allows these individual displays to coexist in balance, intensity, and cohesion.