Talking Tactics: TSG Hoffenheim vs Bayern Munich

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MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 05: Sargis Adamyan of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on October 5, 2019, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Rewind: Matchday 7 – Hoffenheim’s Defensive Theme

Hoffenheim’s strategy was crystal clear from the onset of the match. They approached the game from a defensive stance. The visitors started the match in a 3-1-4-2 formation. They organized themselves in a 4-1-4-1 structure when they were defending. Ihlas Bebou moved on the left flank, allowing Robert Skov to join the defense as a left-back.

The primary theme was to switch between a medium and a low block. While they allowed Bayern to build the attack comfortably, Hoffenheim had locked the passing lanes past the half-line. Hoffenheim defended in numbers in their half. They often used a 5-3-2 system to defend deep in their half when Bayern found a way to the final third.

Hoffenheim were smart with the ball as they tried to play quick vertical passes. Their strategy caused a lot of problems for Bayern. The purpose was to attack Bayern during the early stages of their defensive transitions. By enticing Die Roten deep inside their half, Hoffenheim aimed for exploiting Bayern’s high defensive line. This approach rewarded them instantly as Sargis Adamyan came close to scoring in the fourth minute.

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Schreuder scarcely used a high-pressure system to defend in Bayern’s half. The PPDA metric by Understat.com explains the working of this system. Hoffenheim allowed 21.47 passes to Bayern for each of their defensive action in the hosts’ half. The pressing was, nonetheless, tweaked for a specific situation. Hoffenheim always used an aggressive pressing technique after they had lost possession in the attacking third. The plan was to use their high numbers right after an attack to steal the ball in dangerous territory.

Adamyan’s winner stemmed from Hoffenheim’s strategy to win possession in Bayern’s offensive transition phase. A failed attempt to regain possession was quickly followed by organizing the team in a low block. Thus, it kept Bayern engaged in building through pressure while Hoffenheim could use that time to settle back in their defensive shape.