Bayern Munich: Takeaways from draw against Werder Bremen

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Bayern Munich defensive setup along with Jerome Boateng looked vulnerable against Werder Bremen. (Photo by LUKAS BARTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Bayern’s high defensive line targeted again

Hoffenheim showed some sort of template to score goals across Bayern Munich earlier this season. The efficiency in the attack from Hoffenheim helped them to clinch a 4-1 win against the defending champions. Werder Bremen followed a similar attacking pattern to earn a draw at Allianz Arena on Saturday.

Releasing the ball quickly after winning around their box helped Bremen to exploit the high defensive line maintained by Die Roten. Having two forwards closer to Bayern’s center-backs when Bremen regained the possession helped them to break quickly and consistently create chances throughout the game.

Having just one central midfielder also made Bayern’s defense more vulnerable. After Javi Martinez moved in central defense, his lack of pace was exploited by the visitors. The full-backs took up positions higher up the pitch, so there was a lot of space for Bremen to stitch attacks.

Two Bundesliga teams have exploited this clear weakness in Die Roten’s setup, making them vulnerable against sides that take go long and direct. Flick will have to come up with a solution to this weakness to avoid giving teams a specific blueprint to the opposition to work on. A tweak in the last line of defense could help Bayern to plug holes at the back.