Talking Tactics: How can Bayern Munich beat Union Berlin’s midfield trap?

Rewind: Matchday 9 – Union’s pressing in the mid-thirds

Urs Fischer used a 4-1-4-1 formation when Union Berlin traveled to Munich. The Bavarians were rattled by the aggressive pressing deployed by Die Eisernen. However, there was a peculiar trait concerning their pressing strategy. They did not choose to block the passing lanes and press the ball in Bayern’s defensive third.

Union rather gave their opponents the space to bring the ball out in the mid zone. This was where the Union’s pressing tactics came into play. Fischer persisted with 4-1-4-1 formation to press with a medium defensive block. This led to Union sit vertically compact while defending.

Sebastian Andersson led the first wave of pressure. He targeted Bayern’s center-halves. Andersson often received support from Christian Gentner, who pressed the other center-back when Die Roten did not have a passing option on the flanks.

Along with Gentner, Marius Bülter, Robert Andrich, and Marcus Ingvartsen sat behind Andersson. Union Berlin used an aggressive man-oriented pressing technique to steal the ball from Bayern. Union attempted 38 tackles throughout the game, which is considerably high compared with Bayern’s tally of 20.  As a result, Bayern struggled to progress the ball through their positional play. (Stats courtesy: WhoScored.com)

If Union had the players with the endurance to press relentlessly, then why did they choose the mid-third to activate this maneuver?

One possible answer to this question lies in their build-up and transition process. Urs Fischer’s side favour a long-ball strategy to keep the ball in the opposition’s half. In their game against Bayern, Union contested 28 aerial duels compared with Die Roten’s 14 duels. This approach helped the mid-third to give enough cushion.

Die Eisernen could defend in numbers against Bayern. A successful attempt to regain possession allowed them the opportunity to transition quickly in attack and exploit the space which they had deliberately created in the final third. This also saw Union’s full-backs pushing forward to join the attack.

Bayern toiled to find the space and could hardly create a threatening attack in the first half. Of their total xG of 2.88, the reigning champions clocked a score of 0.24 during the first 45 minutes of the game. (Stats courtesy: Understat.com)