Bayern Munich vs Freiburg Match Analysis

Bayern's young prodigy coach Julian Nagelsmann came up against Freiburg's Christian Streich. This match was close in terms of the scoreline, however, in classic Bayern fashion they created the more effective chances. This was an interesting tactical battle, however we will be focusing on Bayern to see how the Bavarians played their cards to edge a narrow victory.

Building up from the back

Bayern's build up phase was key in breaking Freiburg's 1st line of pressure. In the early stages Kimmich played as the single 6, positioning between the lines. Goretzka as the 8 looked to drop in to make a double pivot when Freiburg's forwards look to block the passing lane to Kimmich and to take advantage of Upemacano's lethal vertical passes. In addition, it is important to note Sane's positioning. Whenever Bayern looked to play out he looked to drop in as a 10 from the left half space to overload the opposition's 8 & 10 midfielders. This allowed for Davies to play as a winger pushing up much more than Sule.

It is important to note when building up that Bayern rarely use Sule to progress possession up the pitch. Rather, Sule is used more as a supporting right-back to relieve pressure from the oppositions press and looks to either recycle the ball back to the centre-backs or through a midfielder. Upemacano looks to make vertical passes either in the air/ground to bypass 1st two lines of opposition pressure or looks for a direct switch to the left side. This tactic is similar to that of Johan Cruyff; whereby fullbacks are rarely used in build up play due to the con of making a vertical straight pass down the sideline which makes it easier for the opposition to close down. However, the fullbacks are utilised more in the final 3rd to get cutbacks in.

Both Centre-backs and fullbacks are given licence to express their 1v1 qualities to bypass opposition pressure and drive into space to create numerical superiority up the pitch. An example of this is Davies applying 1 v 1 feints and dribbling technique to take up to 3 Freiburg players out the game.

Bayern are extremely brave in build up. When under heavy pressure, Upemacano vacates his centre-back position and looks to rotate into midfield to act as a temporary 6 as the space is there while also providing Sule a line-breaking pass that could bypass Freiburg's front 4 press. As this rotation occurs, Kimmich looks to fill the right-back position temporarily to provide numerical equality and to occupy the space left by Sule.

Attacking structure: Midfield & Final 3rd

To give Bayern more fluidity in the oppositions' half and to counter Freiburg's 5-2-3 mid-block, Sane was given heavy freedom to roam between the left half space and central zone. An example of this is shown here as Sane goes from positioning between centre-backs to dropping into midfield to create a problem for Freiburg's right back on whether to track or keep his position to prevent the diagonal switch to Davies. As soon as this occurs it gives the trigger to Lewandowski to rotate from the left half space into the space between the centre-backs.

Bayern's threat mainly came from their well-known use of crosses and cut-backs. When a player gets into a crossing position, Bayern always have a minimum of 4 players in the "blue box" which increases their chances of scoring to 70%. If possible they generally conform to ground crosses to make it easier for the runners to score, however they are not afraid to provide out-swinging air crosses if a player is in a better position to attack the ball.

Defensive Structure

From opposition goal-kicks, Bayern maintain a 3-3-2-2 pressing shape. Sule, Upemacano and Hernandez make up the back 3. Davies is pushed up alongside Goretzka and Kimmich to make a flat 3 to cover shadow Freiburg's attacking midfielders between the lines and to take advantage of Davies recovery pace. Sane and Coman make up a narrow two just behind Muller and Lewandowski.

Furthermore, it is important to note that when Freiburg's centre-backs have possession it gives a trigger to Bayern to go into a 3-3-2-2 shape with at times a 2-3-3-3 using the halfway line as an offside trap. As the ball goes to Freiburg's left-back it gives Sule the trigger to press using the touchline as an extra defender. This allows Upemacano to cover the left winger which leaves the faster players of Davies and Hernandez as sweepers for any potential through/long balls. In addition, Bayern is able to counter Freiburg's diamond shape in the wide channel with almost a man to man press with Coman cover shadowing passes back to Freiburg's centre-backs making it either a 4 v 4 or 5 v 4 in Bayern's favour. This defensive setup is similar to that of Relf Rangnick's style of pressing at RB Leipzig.

Bayern continue to apply their aggressive pressure in a compact 5-3-1-1 low block. Again, Bayern carry over similiar principles of defending when in the oppositions half. For instance, when the opposition maintains possession in the wide channel it gives the trigger to single/double press the opposing player. Here, Goretzka and Sane protect the centre while Kimmich and Muller double press Freiburg's midfielder while blocking forward passing lanes. In addition, Coman temporarily becomes RWB to further block the half spaces.

Goal Analysis

Goal 1 30min: Leon Goretzka

When Upemacano had the ball, Goretzka dropped in from a high central position to receive between Freiburg's defense and midfield lines. This is in turn drags a Freiburg midfielder, which allows Goretzka to make a pass around to Muller. Lewandowski makes a curved run dragging a centre-back towards him ready to receive from Muller. However, this opens up space for Goretzka who makes a penetrating run into space to receive and score. Note. Davies positioning in the final 3rd isn't wide. This is because if he was positioned wide then Freiburg's right-back will stay compact allowing to block Goretzka's run. However, as he is positioned narrow it creates an element of uncertainty for the Freiburg defender on whether to stay inside or come towards Davies.

Goal 2 75min: Robert Lewandowski

Bayern win the ball in the midfield with Neuer acting as an aggressive sweeper keeper to stop Freiburg's counter. Substitute Musiala drop in from the left half space to receive. As he receives the ball Davies looked to provide the width to isolate the opposition right-back. Davies then dribbles towards the right-back entering the box which triggered a secondary defender to intervene. However, Sane positions himself well in space whereby with good open body position finds a cutback to Lewandowski for the tap in. As previously discussed when possession is maintained in the opposition's half the ball side winger/fullback are positioned wide whereas the opposite side winger/fullback are tucked in the half space. In this scenario Gnabry is positioned int the half space with 4 Bayern players in the blue zone.

Conclusion:

Julian Nagelsmann and his staff continue to show new tactical innovations while keeping the core of previous boss Hansi Flick. If they continue this form they will statistically dominate games even if the scoreline says otherwise.