Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Four Takeaways as Bayern Munich survive scare from Paderborn

By Joshua Bishop

Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (2nd L) celebrates scoring with his team-mates the 3-2 during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn in Munich, southern Germany, on February 21, 2020. (Photo by Guenter SCHIFFMANN / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (2nd L) celebrates scoring with his team-mates the 3-2 during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn in Munich, southern Germany, on February 21, 2020. (Photo by Guenter SCHIFFMANN / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) head coach Hansi Flick of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SC Paderborn 07 at Allianz Arena on February 22, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 21: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) head coach Hansi Flick of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SC Paderborn 07 at Allianz Arena on February 22, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

A Unique Formation

Due to suspensions and the need to rest players before the Champions League match in the midweek, Hansi Flick fielded a new starting formation for the players to fit into. Instead of two, there were three center backs, two wing-backs, two center midfielders, one attacking midfielder, and two strikers making a 5-2-1-2. This is a drastic change from the typical 4-2-3-1 Flick normally uses, but given the players available to him, it makes sense in this situation.

Instead of playing as a center midfielder, Joshua Kimmich was used as the third central defender, with David Alaba and Lucas Hernandez to his left. Alvaro Odriozola made finally got a start as he slotted in the right wing-back position, while Alphonso Davies flanking him on the left. Corentin Tolisso and Thiago were the two center midfielders with Philippe Coutinho in the attacking midfield role. Lewandowski and Gnabry were the two forwards in this match.

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This isn’t a formation Bayern fans should expect to see very often, despite the team being solid defensively, it struggled to produce chances against Paderborn. It got to the point where Hansi Flick brought on Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman as substitutes. As soon as these changes were made, Bayern’s offense picked up, and the next two goals were scored.

Thomas Muller in the center of the pitch opens up Bayern’s entire attack, and it’s almost like the opponents don’t know how to handle him when he’s on the pitch. Even though Coman’s final product leaves a lot to be desired, his pace and willingness to go at defenders was refreshing to see at the end of this match. Bayern are so much more comfortable in their traditional 4-2-3-1, so fans should expect to see that in their upcoming matches.