Bayern Munich should look to conquer mid-thirds against Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen plays with a compact structure. They make use of proximity to put their passing technique in effect. One can visualize a grid of small triangular passing networks that helps Leverkusen in moving the ball. We have seen how adept Bosz’s team is in progressing the ball using their passing acumen.
However, their recent clashes with different Bundesliga opponents sketch out an intriguing image. Die Werkself struggle when dealing with opponents who press aggressively and control the mid-thirds. Going back to matchday 33, Hertha Berlin proves this point. In the early moments o that match, Hertha pressed with high intensity in the attacking third.
While this made life a bit difficult for Leverkusen, playing successfully through this first wave of pressure turned the tables. This is where the attacking cartel of Havertz, Diaby, Bailey, and either of Lucas Alario or Kevin Volland comes into the picture. Fast and direct in their approach, Leverkusen’s attackers will give you no time to breathe.
So, how do you stop such a good possession-frenzy squad?
Bruno Labbadia had a perfect solution for this. His team moved in a medium block when out possession and used an aggressive man-oriented zonal pressure. As a result, Leverkusen’s ball progression was halted. Understat.com recorded a total xG of 0.68 for Leverkusen, with 0.42 of the total xG clocked in the opening 15 minutes of the game.
Leverkusen had to break a sweat against the likes of Mainz, Hertha, and Schalke in their previous six league games. Statistically speaking, these three teams applied pressure more than 200 times, with the majority of pressing deployed in the mid-thirds.