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

Fast Forward: Bayern Munich host Frankfurt in matchday 27

It has been a joyful ride since Bayern were humiliated in Frankfurt. Despite any silverware to boast, Hansi Flick’s tenure till now is being compared with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jupp Heynckes. Bayern has played 16 league games since then, dropping points on only three occasions. They have come a long way under Flick’s tutelage, scoring 50 goals and leading the race to win the Bundesliga.

Matchday 27 comes with varying must-win criteria for both the teams. Bayern needs to win on Saturday, ahead of next week’s top of the table clash against Dortmund. Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt remains winless since early February. They have not collected a single point in their last four Bundesliga games. Avoiding relegation would be Adi Hutter’s foremost objective in the coming weeks.

Hutter has favoured a four-man defense in Eintracht’s past few fixtures. 4-1-4-1 or a 4-2-3-1 are the two formations being used by the Eagles recently. Da Costa has been dropped in favour of Almamy Toure as the right-back. Problems continue to persist in Eintracht’s right-wing space.

Eintracht played Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen, and Union Berlin in their previous three fixtures. Each of Ramy Bensebaini, Moussa Diaby, and Christophe Lenz bagged an assist from their left-wing zone. The key passes from the opposition in these matches were slightly skewed towards the left half of the pitch. This trend may also force Die Roten to focus on attacking from the left flank.

Alphonso Davies has been in terrific form. He can form a devastating partnership with Serge Gnabry and get an early lead for Bayern. Squad rotation ahead of Der Klassiker must be considered before choosing a lineup against Eintracht. Thankfully, the five substitutes rule would provide some relief to Hansi Flick.

Nonetheless, Flick can pick Kingsley Coman on the right-wing. Thomas Muller can be used from the bench, resting him for Tuesday’s game. Leon Goretzka, Thiago, and Kimmich can continue playing in the center of the park. Robert Lewandowski should lead the attacking line and can be rotated with Muller or Joshua Zirkzee should Bayern create a comfortable goal-cushion in the first half. At the back, Alvaro Odriozola may find himself filling the right-back spot. Benjamin Pavard can be paired with David Alaba allowing in-form Jerome Boateng to relax his muscles for the big game on Tuesday.

"Neuer Odriozola-Pavard-Alaba-Davies Kimmich-Thiago Coman-Goretzka-Gnabry Lewandowski"

An entertaining match for the fans watching a live stream from their home. Bayern against Eintracht has always produced a plethora of goals. Given the current form and goal-scoring trend, Bayern should be winning this game comfortably. I am backing them to keep a clean sheet and score three goals.