Bayern Munich: Julian Nagelsmann’s gamble pays off against RB Leipzig

Fans returned to Allianz Arena on Saturday after three months. The Bavarian faithful were treated with an entertaining game. Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig played out a five-goal thriller. Die Roten managed to narrowly edge past Leipzig in a very competitive game, going nine points clear at the top of the points table.

It was an end-to-end game at Allianz Arena on Saturday, as both teams played some breath-taking football in the final third. Nagelsmann decided to go all-out attack by fielding a very unique system and line-up.

The German coach used a back three of Niklas Sule, Benjamin Pavard, and Lucas Fernandez. Pavard was probably the happiest player with this change in system since he prefers playing in central defense instead of right-back. To compensate for the absence of Alphonso Davies, Nagelsmann decided to go ahead with two wingers in the wing-back position.

Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry provided width on either flank. They also diligently completed their defensive duties and provided a real threat while going forward. Leroy Sane, Thomas Muller, and Robert Lewandowski were other attacking players on the pitch. By using this formation, Nagelsmann used all his offensive players in the lineup.

The team did struggle to cope with the pressing of Leipzig, but there were a lot of promising moves in the final third. While talking to the press after the game (via AZ), Nagelsmann admitted that he didn’t want to sacrifice the attacking prowess by playing all central defenders in the back four.

"“I’ve decided to bring in the most attacking team at the moment. I could have played a back 4 with 4 natural centre-backs, but I just don’t want to sacrifice a player in attack at the moment.”"

It is a viable system for Nagelsmann to stick with since he wants offensive contributions from his full-backs/wing-back. Gnabry and Coman have an incredible work ethic, so they will always contribute at both ends of the pitch. With consistent playing time in this system, all players will get used to their roles, and there will be more defensive solidity.

With Alphonso Davies indefinitely ruled out, Die Roten can do with this system for the time being. Omar Richards is an option in the left-back role. However, Richards is still getting used to life in Bavaria. Lucas Hernandez can play on the left side, but he will be a much more conservative full-back. Having Pavard and Hernandez as full-backs could affect Die Roten’s offensive play.

It was crucial for Nagelsmann to successfully use this system in a big game. The attacking structure worked brilliantly against Leipzig, but there is still enough room for improvement in the defensive organisation of the team. The gamble from Nagelsmann on Saturday paid off handsomely. It will not be called a gamble in the future if his team masters this system before important knockout games of the Champions League.