Talking Tactics- Chelsea vs Bayern Munich

Defensive Phase

Bayern’s innate style of aggressive pressing can play a major role. Chelsea tend to play inaccurate passes when pressed heavily in their half. Leicester’s technique to press in numbers against Chelsea represented an archetypal scenario. The Blues suffered and could not play through Leicester’s pressure when the two sides met in early February. Hansi Flick can re-engineer the Foxes’ technique and gain an advantage during their defensive phase.

In the first instance, Chelsea are expected to use a 2-4-1-3 to build their attack. The Bavarians must revert with a 4-5-1 formation. Lewandowski’s remit will be to apply aggressive pressure from the front. At the base of midfield, three of Bayern’s players shall lock the passing channels. The idea is to remain compact and shut Chelsea’s passing options in the center.

The Blues rely on a narrow midfield structure. Chelsea’s width is primarily provided by the full-backs. Thus, Bayern can control the center space with three midfielders and use their wingers to mark Chelsea’s full-backs. Bayern’s core strategy will be to force the ball back towards Kepa Kepa Arrizabalaga and gradually surge forward in numbers to pile excessive pressure. Therefore, Chelsea will be forced to go long and allow Bayern to regain possession.

Secondly, Chelsea may opt for a 3-4-1-2 to build the attack. This formation is expected to give Chelsea slightly more space to progress the ball. However, Bayern can devise a three-man defense to deal with this scenario. Using a 3-5-2, the Rekordmeister must press the ball aggressively from the front.

The two forwards are expected to force the ball back towards Chelsea’s goalkeeper. The center midfield should be covered by three players to deal with Chelsea’s midfield trio. The theme here is to gradually build pressure in Chelsea’s half and keep the passing lanes covered in the center. The only option for Chelsea will be to find a route from the flanks. This is where Bayern can use their aggressive pressing to create a vacuum on the touchline and gain possession.

Bayern should, nonetheless, press in numbers on Chelsea’s transitions. This is one of Bayern’s core strengths to gain possession in dangerous territory. The Blues have, recently, been a victim of playing through heavy pressure during transitions. The following video will depict the tactical scheme Die Roten should implement to exploit Chelsea’s weaknesses.