I sympathise with Tuchel because Bayern had unavailability issues and his team were well set tactically, but Alonso's Leverkusen also had injury issues and were SMARTER tactically.
It was subtle, but it was the subtleties that gave Xabi's men the win.
A short tactical thread 👇
It was subtle, but it was the subtleties that gave Xabi's men the win.
A short tactical thread 👇
Tuchel set Bayern up in a mirror image of Leverkusen's typical shape. This meant that the game looked like it was going to be a man-to-man affair in each phase.
That was Tuchel's plan - rely on individuals.
Both teams built in a 4-2-4 & both teams pressed in man-to-man fashion.
That was Tuchel's plan - rely on individuals.
Both teams built in a 4-2-4 & both teams pressed in man-to-man fashion.
Then, in the high build, each team matched up with each other in a mirror image of the 3-2-5 (a 5-2-3).
The problem for Tuchel and Bayern, though, was the fact that Alonso expected and prepared for this.
Wirtz and Grimaldo were key to gaining an edge against Bayern's press.
The problem for Tuchel and Bayern, though, was the fact that Alonso expected and prepared for this.
Wirtz and Grimaldo were key to gaining an edge against Bayern's press.
Grimaldo consistently inverted into the left half space and Wirtz consistently dropped from the #9 into the right half space.
This meant that both Mazraoui & Dier's pressing triggers were not in the zone that Bayern expected them to be in.
The block had to adjust but failed to.
This meant that both Mazraoui & Dier's pressing triggers were not in the zone that Bayern expected them to be in.
The block had to adjust but failed to.
It is not reasonable to expect Dier to follow Wirtz into such a deep zone. It is more reasonable for him to stay in the last line and pass him onto one of the midfielders.
The same logic can be applied to Mazraoui. It is not reasonable to expect a wingback to track centrally..
The same logic can be applied to Mazraoui. It is not reasonable to expect a wingback to track centrally..
These tactical subtleties saw Leverkusen continue to match-up accordingly with Bayern out of possession but gain an edge on them in possession.
It disrupted Bayern's flow as their man-to-man press became an often disjointed zonal press..
Alonso deserves HUGE credit for the win!
It disrupted Bayern's flow as their man-to-man press became an often disjointed zonal press..
Alonso deserves HUGE credit for the win!
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