Possible tactical scenario for matchday 18
Bayern will be without long-term absentees, Sule and Lucas Hernandez. Joshua Kimmich will not travel with the squad as he serves his suspension. Along with the defensive problems, Hansi Flick will have to deal with issues in the attacking department too. Kingsley Coman is still recovering from his knee injury. Gnabry is unlikely to start despite stepping on the training pitch this week. Robert Lewandowski should make it to the starting XI, having completed a full training session in Munich on Wednesday.
We expect Flick to use a 4-2-3-1 formation.
"Neuer Pavard-Boateng-Alaba-Davies Thiago-Goretzka Muller-Coutinho-Perisic Lewandowski"
Following Flick’s appointment, Bayern contested three away league fixtures wherein they collected six points. However, they finished the Hinrunde with three consecutive victories.
On the other hand, Hertha seems to have adopted a defensive approach. Klinsmann favours a medium block to defend. The results speak for Hertha’s tactics. With the last three games in consideration, Hertha have scored two goals without conceding any. Their PPDA (Passes allowed per defensive action) metric, for the last three Bundesliga matches, has hovered at an average rate of 19.6. There are clear signs of Klinsmann prioritizing defensive solidity at the back rather than pressing the opponents from an advanced position. (Stats courtesy: Understat)
Thereby, Hertha BSC is expected to use a 4-4-2 formation against Bayern.
"Jarstein Klunter- Boyata- Rekik- Plattenhardt Lukebakio- Darida- – Grujic- Dilrosun Ibisevi- Selke"
Bayern are expected to dominate the matchin terms of possession. To open spaces through Hertha’s defense, Flick should try to keep the wingers wide. For pulling off this move, Coutinho can aim to drift on the far left-hand side of the park. This implies that Muller should aim for dropping in the central and half-spaces behind Lewandowski.
Goretzka should surge forward to create overloads along with Muller. Using this system will allow Perisic to operate on the right flank. Moreover, this will also allow Coutinho to invert in from the left-side where Davies can provide him overlapping support.
Below is the pitch map for Bayern’s attacking scheme explained above.
(Note: X represents different positions for Hertha’s players)
"X0 X1 X2 Lewandowski X3 X4 Perisic Coutinho X6 Muller X7 X8 Davies X5 Goretzka X9 Thiago X10 Pavard ————Alaba——————-o————–Boateng———— Neuer"
Bayern should, however, be wary of a counter-attack from Hertha. A tactical substitution from Klinsmann to add pace by calling Salomon Kalou or Alexander Esswein can still cause Bayern problems. Jerome Boateng has previously been an easy target in such scenarios.
Considering the current tactical scenario and strategies used by both the managers, we foresee Bayern to win the match by at least three goals to one.