How to Build the Ultimate Borussia Dortmund Squad in Dream League Soccer

When I first started playing Dream League Soccer, I thought building a strong Borussia Dortmund squad would be straightforward—just sign the fastest players and spam through balls. But after countless hours of gameplay and several failed seasons, I’ve come to realize that squad-building is more like managing real-life relationships than just chasing stats. It reminds me of a quote I once heard: “Isa-santabi mo muna yung friendships, yung mga relationships. You just want your team to win.” That mindset—prioritizing victory over sentimentality—is exactly what you need when crafting the ultimate BVB squad in DLS. Forget loyalty to underperforming players or emotional attachments to certain cards; your only goal is to assemble a team that dominates every competition.

Let’s start with the foundation: the goalkeeper. In my experience, having a reliable shot-stopper is non-negotiable. Gregor Kobel, with his 84-rated reflexes and 82 handling in the latest DLS update, is my go-to choice. Sure, you could stick with an older option like Roman Bürki for nostalgia, but that’s exactly the kind of sentimental trap the quote warns against. I once held onto Bürki for too long, and it cost me crucial points in the Champions League mode. Kobel, on the other hand, has saved me in tight matches—like a 1-0 win against Bayern where he made 7 saves. Stats don’t lie: a top keeper can single-handedly earn you 10-15 extra points per season.

Moving to defense, balance is key. I typically use a back four, with Raphaël Guerreiro and Thomas Meunier as my full-backs. Guerreiro’s 85 pace and 83 crossing make him a nightmare on the left, while Meunier’s physicality (82 strength) helps shut down counters. For center-backs, Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji are my preferred pairing. Hummels might be slower at 78 pace, but his 87 defending and 85 ball control let you build from the back. I learned the hard way that stacking only pacey defenders backfires—they might catch attackers, but without positioning and tackling, you’ll concede silly goals. In one match, I swapped Hummels for a faster but less skilled defender and immediately gave up two goals from set-pieces. That’s where the “team first” mentality kicks in: drop players who don’t fit the system, no matter how much you like them.

The midfield is where games are won. I swear by a double pivot of Jude Bellingham and Mahmoud Dahoud. Bellingham, with his 86 overall rating, is a beast—87 stamina, 85 dribbling, and 83 shooting. He’s the engine of my team, covering every blade of virtual grass. Dahoud, though slightly lower rated at 82, offers 84 passing and 80 tackling, making him perfect for recycling possession. Then there’s the attacking midfielder: Marco Reus. Even at 33, his 85 curve and 84 shooting are lethal. I’ve scored 12 free-kicks with him in a single season. But here’s the thing: if Reus has a bad run of form, I don’t hesitate to bench him for Julian Brandt, who boasts 83 pace and 84 dribbling. It’s ruthless, but as the quote says, you set aside friendships for the win.

Up front, Erling Haaland is the obvious star. With 89 shooting and 88 strength, he’s a cheat code. In my current save, he’s netted 42 goals in 30 matches. But pairing him with the right winger is crucial. I prefer Karim Adeyemi on the left—his 90 pace and 85 dribbling let him cut inside and unleash rockets. On the right, Donyell Malen’s 86 acceleration makes him a constant threat. I’ve experimented with other options, like Thorgan Hazard, but his 81 pace just doesn’t cut it in higher divisions. That’s the cold truth: you have to make tough calls. I once sold Hazard to fund Adeyemi’s signing, and my goal output jumped from 2.1 to 3.4 per game.

Tactics and chemistry round it all out. I run a 4-2-3-1 formation with attacking width set to high and pressing on. This suits Dortmund’s real-life gegenpressing style, and in DLS, it leads to quick turnovers and counters. Player chemistry matters too—I aim for at least 90% by keeping players in their preferred positions and avoiding too many transfers mid-season. But if someone’s underperforming, I won’t think twice about swapping them out. Last season, I dropped Gio Reyna for a 83-rated regen because the numbers showed Reyna’s 79 stamina was costing me in the final minutes. Harsh? Maybe. But it’s about winning.

In the end, building the ultimate Borussia Dortmund squad in Dream League Soccer isn’t just about stacking high-rated players. It’s about embracing that win-at-all-costs mindset, where personal attachments take a backseat to performance. Whether it’s benching a club legend or splashing cash on a rising star, every decision must serve the team. So take it from someone who’s been there: be ruthless, trust the stats, and watch the trophies roll in. After all, as that quote reminds us, sometimes you have to set aside relationships—you just want your team to win.