Bayern Strikes
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Five reasons behind Bayern Munich’s upturn in form

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 05: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team`s third goal with teammates during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 5, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 05: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after scoring his team`s third goal with teammates during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 5, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 09: Konrad Laimer of RB Leipzig is challenged by Jerome Boateng of FC Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 09, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 09: Konrad Laimer of RB Leipzig is challenged by Jerome Boateng of FC Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 09, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images) /

Cutting off individual errors in defense

Clean sheets were hard to come by for Bayern in the first half of the season, as the team consistently conceded cheap goals. They were not conceding a lot of big chances every game, but there was always an individual error in the back four.

Flick has tried to address this problem by sticking with a consistent back four. Alphonso Davies has been a revelation in the left-back role, allowing David Alaba to provide much more calmness in central defense. Benjamin Pavard is also getting back to his best after going through a rough patch of form at the end of 2019.

Meanwhile, Jerome Boateng is also showing improvement, cutting off errors from his game. He is delivering his best performances after quite some time. The form of all defenders has helped Bayern to be much more solid at the back. Moreover, they are conceding even less big chances at the moment, thoroughly dominating the opponents.

Tactically, Flick has moved the defensive line a bit deeper. This helps Bayern to cover-up Boateng’s lack of pace on the counter. It also reduces the space for rapid forwards that try to hurt Die Roten on the counter. Due to tactical adjustments and improved form of defenders, Rekordmeister looks much more assured team at the back.