Talking Tactics: Bayern Munich need strong strategic approach against Barcelona

Bayern vs Barcelona – What are we looking at?

Setien’s Barca plays with a central overload in a four-man diamond structure with Messi dropping in the hole behind Luis Suarez. Alternatively, they use a  five-man pentagon when Antoine Griezmann inverts in from the left side during the build-up.

The 4-4-2 tactical plan presented by SPORT doesn’t stand a good chance, and Barcelona shall use a 4-3-3 setup on paper. Sergio Busquests and Arturo Vidal can replace Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto from their previous lineup used against Napoli.

The good news for Bayern Munich is that Benjamin Pavard is traveling to Lisbon with his teammates. His selection, albeit, remains a doubt. Alvaro Odriozola is unlikely to get the nod ahead of Joshua Kimmich for the right-back role should Pavard miss the match. This calls for a similar lineup deployed against Chelsea with Kinglsey Coman replacing Ivan Perisic. Pavard’s selection for this match can turn the tables in Bayern’s favour.

The half-space, approximately 40-yards from opposition’s goal, is where Messi likes to paint his heatmap red. With Leon Goretzka focused more towards the attacking department, the onus shall fall on Thiago to keep an eye on Messi’s movement. The Spaniard, a remarkable baller, was a weak target to get past as observed in the second leg against Chelsea last week.

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Playing against Messi, this would force Alphonso Davies to pin back and offer support to David Alaba to deny the Argentine a one-v-one. Plotting Pavard at the right-back should allow Hansi Flick to start Kimmich with Goretzka in the heart of the midfield. Tagging Kimmich with Messi will give Davies the freedom to raid the left flank on an overlapping run. Kimmich’s defensive abilities shall further aid Alaba. The Austrian can drift wide with Kimmich covering the space in between.

Upfront, Bayern are not expected to dial down their pressing intensity against the Catalans. This is what Napoli failed to apply in the early stages at Camp Nou. Osasuna showcased a perfect example to beat Barca two-one in matchweek 37 of the La Liga. While pressing high up the pitch was a rare sight, Osasuna used their organized defensive ploy to invite Barcelona in their half and use aggressive pressing to steal the ball. Bayern fans can expect to see the German champions going in for the kill deep inside Barca’s half. Remember, Flick’s success stands on the pillars of cohesion and vigour.

On the contrary, Barcelona shall use a tepid approach when pressing against Bayern’s build-up from the back. Setien might go for a high mid-third pressing. Starting Arturo Vidal can reduce Messi’s burden to cut passing lanes. The Chilean midfielder exhibits enormous energy and hunger for regaining possession. From the left side, Griezmann will be handed dual responsibility to apply pressure on Jerome Boateng and block any potential inside pass from the right-back.

Frenkie de Jong is another chap who loves to press and restart the attack. His remit will involve working in the second wave of pressure targeting Goretzka. Bayern will find space on the flanks to move the ball. Nonetheless, ball progression will boil down to how Flick uses his attacking players to defuse Barcelona’s central overload. It was a key weakness spotted in Napoli’s build-up. The Catalans could easily outnumber Fabian Ruiz Pena, Diego Demme, and Piotr Zielinski. There was rarely an involvement from Dries Mertens to create link-ups in that space.

With the attacking prowess of both sides, one can expect a lot of shots in this game. Bayern has taken 17 shots each in their last two competitive games. On the other hand, Barcelona conceded 17 shots against Napoli last week. The position of shots for Bayern is likely to be deeper with more involvement from the 18-yard box. Barcelona will try their luck from distance quite often. Of course, the team who draws first blood can sit in the driver’s seat and dictate the play on their terms. The reaction from the opponents will be decided on how they deploy their plan B.

Projected Lineups:

"Neuer Kimmich-Boateng-Alaba-Davies Goretzka-Thiago Gnabry-Muller-Coman Lewandowski ————————————————————————— Griezmann-Suarez-Messi De Jong-Busquets-Vidal Alba-Lenglet-Pique-Semedo Ter Stegen"

Score Prediction: FC Barcelona 1 – 3 FC Bayern