The importance of set pieces and how they impact the Bundesliga
Previously often overlooked, set pieces have become increasingly important in football in recent years, and the Bundesliga is no exception. But what does it mean for the game as a whole? Let’s delve deeper…
In one of the most captivating Klassikers in recent years, Bayern Munich edged out Borussia Dortmund 3-2 at Signal Iduna Park on Matchday 24.
Long before the final whistle, though, the hosts broke the deadlock from a free-kick as Nico Schlotterbeck headed Daniel Svensson’s delivery into the far corner.
Later on in that same game, Harry Kane displayed his usual composure from the penalty spot, netting his tenth goal from 12 yards this term to give the Bavarians the lead. It was another example of the league leaders using dead-ball situations to gain an advantage.
Watch: Dortmund 2-3 Bayern - highlights
After all, that heavyweight clash saw the two most prolific Bundesliga teams from set pieces face off. While Bayern have scored a league-high 18 goals from such situations this term, Dortmund are one behind with 17.
While Vincent Kompany's side have netted a monstrous 88 goals in the German top flight this term, Dortmund have managed a rather more modest 51. It is still the second-highest in the division, and meaning that a third of their strikes have come from set pieces.
Only four of those have been penalties, too, as a league-high 13 have come from free-kicks and corners. Set-piece coach Robert Kovač has seen a clear loophole to exploit, with Dortmund’s players crowding the six-yard box, especially at corners, to prevent the opposition goalkeeper from coming out to collect the ball without directly impeding him.
Watch: The art of the set piece
Dortmund’s head coach, and Robert’s brother, Niko, is clearly aware of the role set pieces play.
After a particularly fruitful afternoon against Mainz in February - a game Dortmund won 4-0 – he explained: “I believe a lot of goals come from set pieces. Therefore, you have to include that in your repertoire. It can be a game-changer. Ultimately, it's about overloading the six-yard box – not just with my players, but also with opposing players.”
It should therefore come as no surprise that Dortmund also lead the league in regard to goals from corners with nine. Rather than Bayern in second, though, it’s Freiburg who have found the back of the net in such circumstances on eight occasions.
Julian Schuster’s team utilise a different tactic. Rather than placing the majority of their players in one area, the Black Forest outfit take advantage of penalty-box chaos by interchanging and making differing runs. That frequently leaves someone free to wreak havoc – it also helps to have Vincenzo Grifo, one of the best set-piece takers in Germany, in your squad.
Watch: Dortmund's set-piece mastery against Mainz
While some teams have repeatedly made the most of dead-ball moments, it is not necessarily a league-wide trend. After 24 matchdays in five of the previous nine seasons, Bundesliga sides had scored more often from corners than the tally of 61 in 2025/26.
Goals from free-kicks – whether direct or indirect – are also at their lowest total at this point of a campaign in the past ten years. Including all set-piece goals, 2023/24, 2022/23, 2019/20 and 2017/18 all saw more across the opening 24 matchdays than this season – although there has been a considerable increase from last season to this (143 to 164).
It is perhaps no coincidence that Werder Bremen and Heidenheim, who currently sit inside the league’s bottom three, have scored the joint-fewest amount of goals from free-kicks, corners and penalties combined this season (three).
Related news
Riera's magic touch
Within a short space of time, the Spaniard has shifted the mood at Deutsche Bank Park.
Kane on Lewy’s record: ‘I’m in a good position’
Now in his third season at Bayern Munich, Harry Kane has his eyes firmly fixed on Robert Lewandowski's single-season milestone.
Matchday 25 probable teams
Will Manuel Neuer be back for Bayern's Friday curtain-raiser at home to Gladbach?