Talking Tactics: Bayern Munich vs Union Berlin

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 05: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Players of Munich enter the stadium prior the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on October 05, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Eisenhuth/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 05: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Players of Munich enter the stadium prior the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on October 05, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Eisenhuth/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images) /
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21 October 2019, Greece, Athen: Soccer: Champions League, Olympiakos Piräus – Bayern Munich, Group stage, Group B, Matchday 3, FC Bayern Munich training at Georgios-Karaiskakis Stadium. The players of FC Bayern Munich laqufen themselves warmly. Photo: Angelos Tzortzinis/DPA/dpa (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis/picture alliance via Getty Images)
21 October 2019, Greece, Athen: Soccer: Champions League, Olympiakos Piräus – Bayern Munich, Group stage, Group B, Matchday 3, FC Bayern Munich training at Georgios-Karaiskakis Stadium. The players of FC Bayern Munich laqufen themselves warmly. Photo: Angelos Tzortzinis/DPA/dpa (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

How should Bayern Munich approach against Union Berlin?

Considering the above factors and based on the current defensive woes, I would recommend Kovac to start Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez in the heart of the defense.

Benjamin Pavard should start as the right-back while Joshua Kimmich must be given the number six position to orchestrate the rhythm of the game. Thiago Alcantara should drop to the bench as he is going through a poor run of form.

An ideal formation will be 4-2-3-1 with Manuel Neuer in goal and Pavard, Boateng, Martinez, and David Alaba forming the backline. To provide the link-up from defense to attack, Kimmich should start with Corentin Tolisso in central midfield. Serge Gnabry, Philippe Coutinho, and Kingsley Coman should continue to operate as attacking trio behind Bayern goal machine, Robert Lewandowski.

"Neuer Pavard-Boateng-Martinez-Alaba Kimmich-Tolisso Coman-Coutinho-Gnabry Lewandowski"

Bayern Munich should use their possession-based football for building the attack from the back. It should not be a matter of discussion that compactness in the center space must remain a priority for this maneuver.

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For their attacking scheme from the halfway line, Bayern may choose to use Union’s aggressive pressing in their favour. This is the point from where Die Roten can showcase their innate talent to up the tempo of the game and create goal-scoring opportunities. An ideal approach would be to send long-balls down the attacking third with an alternative diagonal passing option to the wingers or the overlapping full-backs.

The key here is to catch the visitors by surprise when they are outnumbered in their third. A sudden shift in the pace of the game would leave no chance for Berlin to defend Bayern’s pressure applied by four players.

Moving on to the defensive structure for this match, Bayern Munich should look to defend in a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1 formation. The tight structure of four midfielders guarding the defensive third is required to cancel Berlin’s threat from outside the box. This will also help in keeping sufficient players at the back to nullify the danger posed by crosses delivered by their wing-backs.

Next. Three takeaways as Bayern Munich edge past Olympiakos. dark

Bayern Munich should resist pressing vigorously to avoid Berlin’s to initiate counterattacks from half-line. It would not come as a surprise to see Fischer setting his team to defend if they get an early lead.