Talking Tactics: Bayern Munich should focus on left flank against Frankfurt

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Jerome Boateng and Hansi Flick (Photo by DANIEL ROLAND/AFP via Getty Images) /

Rewind: Matchday 10 – Bayern Munich build up with ten men

Bayern Munich started the game with a solo-pivot setup on paper. The 4-3-3 structure used by Niko Kovac transformed into a 4-2-3-1 on the field. Alphonso Davies, who started as a left-winger, took the left-back role. Serge Gnabry filled his void in the attack. Die Roten’s build-up from the back saw them using three players at the back. Thiago Alcantara, more often than Joshua Kimmich, joined the center-backs.A plausible technique deployed by Bayern.

Eintracht applied pressure with two forwards up front in 4-1-3-2 shape. Adi Hutter gave Danny Da Costa the license to patrol on the right flank, depending on the ball’s position. With three players at the back for Bayern, ball progression to the mid-thirds was hardly a problem, having a clear sight of the pitch in front.

However, there were constraints in the middle zone. Bayern often found themselves in a tough spot, outnumbered by four players against two. Coutinho had only Robert Lewandowski dropping back in the central zone to facilitate a passing option. Thomas Muller and Gnabry either stayed wide to stretch Eintracht’s lines or in behind the last defensive line to connect with a through-ball. Nonetheless, Bayern had better control of the game for the first ten minutes of the game.

Jerome Boateng clattered into Goncalo Paciencia outside his box. After a second opinion with the VAR, Boateng was given his marching orders. Kovac was forced to make tactical amendments. Kimmich moved to the right-back spot allowing Benjamin Pavard to pair with David Alaba in the center-half position.

Eintracht took full advantage of the extra man on the pitch. Adi Hutter’s side upped their pressing intensity. After using a timely approach while applying pressure in the final third, the Eagles spread their wings and moved in an advanced defensive block. Gelson Fernandes, who usually sat at the base of the midfield, joined Sebastian Rode in the center. Djibril Sow moved a notch wide, on the border of the half-space and the right-wing. 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 were the new formulas for Eintracht.

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As a result of these changes from Frankfurt, Coutinho had to drop deep alongside Thiago. Muller and Gnabry inverted in their respective half-spaces with Lewandowski at the tip of the attack. Eintracht’s center-backs, in lieu, enjoyed the freedom to protract their lines against a weakened attacking threat.

Despite conceding five goals, Bayern were resilient. Die Roten kept 60% possession, with 86% passing accuracy. The positional play was top quality. Bayern attempted quick one-touch passes with aplomb. Their switch play remained effective. Using the passing abilities of Thiago, Coutinho, and Kimmich, Kovac’s men played decent long-balls to thrive on the rebounds. The aim was to take advantage of Eintracht’s high pressure and exploit the space behind their midfield. In the second instance, Bayern seemed a major threat from the left-side.