Bayern Strikes
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Talking Tactics: FC Cologne vs Bayern Munich

By Kartik Sahni

MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: Kingsley Ehizibue of 1. FC Koeln and Ivan Perisic of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Koeln at Allianz Arena on September 21, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: Kingsley Ehizibue of 1. FC Koeln and Ivan Perisic of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Koeln at Allianz Arena on September 21, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 21: head coach Achim Beierlorzer of 1. FC Koeln looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Koeln at Allianz Arena on September 21, 2019, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 21: head coach Achim Beierlorzer of 1. FC Koeln looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Koeln at Allianz Arena on September 21, 2019, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Rewind: Matchday 5 – Cologne’s Vertical Approach

There was a slight swing in the momentum of the game. Two brief periods, in each half, saw this shift. Unable to deal with Bayern, Cologne moved in a low block in the last ten minutes of the first half. This tactic was deployed to lure Bayern deep in the visitor’s half.

The intention here was to keep them involved in their attempt to find space with a high line. When Cologne regained possession, they supplied the ball in the final third through the wide areas of the pitch. The Billy Goats used quick vertical passes to steer the ball in dangerous territory. A successful attempt to complete this maneuver was followed by Cologne’s next move.

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The visitors bombarded Bayern’s box with early crosses. Statistics from Understat.com provide more insight. The xG chart on the time axis shows the spurt in chances created by Cologne. Cologne’s xG score increased from 0.02 to 0.27 in the closing ten minutes of the first half. They also improvised their pressing strategy in this zone. Cologne used aggressive pressing during Bayern’s offensive transitions to win possession.

The intention seemed plausible. Bayern are a possession-loving team and dominate their time on the ball. It would have been time-consuming to move in a low block and repeat the process of bringing the ball through vertical passing. With extra manpower in an attacking phase, Cologne could pile excessive pressure and regain possession. This move was followed by feeding a full-back or a winger to deliver crosses in the box.

A similar strategy was adopted by Cologne after Ehizibue was sent off at the hour mark. The increase in xG tally from 65th to 80th minute for Cologne provides a clear picture. It was, however, a futile attempt as Bayern doubled their lead after Ehizibue’s dismissal.