From the very start of the match, Mainz leveraged their home-field advantage to relentlessly pressure Dortmund.
Tuchel's tactics also placed a heavy emphasis on high-pressing and pressure.
Everyone said that for Tuchel's team to be able to keep pace with Dortmund, they must be doing something right.
It was plain to see.
So what exactly was it?
The answer was hidden in Mainz's starting lineup.
For this match, Mainz was using a 4-3-1-2 formation, with a midfield of three defensive midfielders.
They were Elgin Soto, Polanski, and Caliguri.
Holtby was in the number 10 role.
The forwards were Schürrle and Alage.
Both forwards were the type of players with impressive individual skill, excellent speed, and a strong ability to execute tactical instructions.
Holtby, meanwhile, was an exceptionally well-rounded number 10.
He could pass and assist, dribble past defenders, make late runs into the box to score, and even had decent defensive capabilities.
