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

By Kartik Sahni

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 26: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen and goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz of FC Union Berlin battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on October 26, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 26: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen and goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz of FC Union Berlin battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on October 26, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 26: Marcus Ingvartsen of FC Union Berlin and Thiago of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on October 26, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – OCTOBER 26: Marcus Ingvartsen of FC Union Berlin and Thiago of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Union Berlin at Allianz Arena on October 26, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

Rewind: Matchday 9 – Changing the pivots

Bayern had started the match in a 4-3-3 structure. The midfield comprised of Thiago Alcantara as the sole pivot. Philippe Coutinho and Thomas Muller operated the attacking options in midfield. Bayern had earlier used two center-backs with Thiago ahead as the number six in the build-up stage.

Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies would slightly move ahead and flank Thiago in this zone. However, the Union’s pressing strategy hardly gave Bayern space. Although a rare sight in the first half, Coutinho started to drop deep during Bayern’s build-up process. This move saw some success in the first half when Die Roten could progress the ball in Union’s defensive third.

Two major benefits stemmed from this tactic. Bayern, who were earlier locked in a five versus five tussles in the middle-third, had an extra man to pass the ball. With Coutinho dropping deep, Rekordmeister could place Thiago in between the center-halves, allowing the Spaniard to break free from Andersson’s cover shadow. It also gave him the room to orchestrate the game with a clear sight of the field in front of his eyes. Bayern could, therefore, make better use of their positional play. By overloading the space on the left side, Bayern made room on the right side for Kimmich.

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Secondly, Bayern could attack from the right-hand side of the pitch. This is where the Bavarians fed Kimmich as the target player. With clear space to carry the ball, Kimmich combined with Coman on the right flank. Coman’s dribbling ability allowed Die Roten the time to add players in the central space. Coutinho and Muller were quick to surge forward. Kimmich, too, was seen operating in this zone as he underlapped Coman.

The statistics from Understat.com back the success of this tactical approach adapted by Die Roten. Of the total 16 shots taken from an open play by Bayern, 12 appeared in the second half of the game. The only weakness Bayern reflected was a poor conversion rate from these shots. Thus, their actual goal tally of two was short of 0.88 units of their total xG score.