What challenge does Xavi’s “re-modelled” Barça have against Nagelsmann’s mighty Bayern?
Preview Analysis: Bayern Munich vs Barcelona
After a disappointing start to the European campaign, the Catalans are facing a pretty difficult challenge in order to qualify for the next round. Former Barcelona player and the new Head Coach of Barcelona have a heavy task on Wednesday when they will face the mighty and one of the strongest sides away from their home at the Allianz Arena.
Barça faced Bayern back in September at the Camp Nou which ended in a crushing victory for the Bavarians thanks to goals from Müller and a double from the Polish goal machine — Robert Lewandowski. That game can be said as the first domino falling resulting in the sacking of Ronald Koeman.
In this piece, I will try to dive deep into Bayern’s play looking from Barcelona’s perspective with possible solutions.
Pressing from the front
Bayern press aggressively by man-marking (1v1). When the opposition builds from the left, Coman would mark his side’s Wing-Back with Müller and Sané marking the opposite double pivots. Lewa usually presses the ball-carrier guiding them out-wide.
The Bayern players remain close to their markers with the intention to force long balls or force play out-wide. Since on the right it seems Coman would mark Jordi Alba. We would probably see Coman pressing Lenglet whilst denying the pass to Alba. It would mean dynamic movements from Frenkie de Jong and precisive passing from the Frenchmen would be key.
When the opposition builds from the left (Bayern’s perspective). From the left, Alphonso Davies pushes high against the opposite RWB which for Barcelona would probably be Dembélé. Leroy Sané would press the wide Centre-Back forcing the pass to the RWB (Dembélé) who would be in a 1v1 duel with Alphonso Davies. Robert Lewandowski usually prevents the backpass to the Middle Centre Back (Gerard Piqué).
It is necessary to keep in mind that these instances happen very deep in the opposition’s half. Hence, in my perspective, there are more chances of the pressing team winning an aerial duel in the middle of the pitch (long ball launched from very deep) compared to a long ball launched from the middle. Essentially Bayern likes always very aggressive to suffocate the opponent’s build-up play from the deep.
The 3 Bayern Centre-Backs in the backline provide protection in case the opposition tries to go long. This means in an aerial duel in the central channel against someone like Memphis Depay would mean a Bayern center-back from engaging. Although this has its downsides as well (opens a channel for a run + leaves other center-backs too far away from covering the space since in a 3 at the back system they maintain more distance between themselves compared to a 2 at the back.) the Bayern defenders and Dayot Upamecano, in particular, are quite successful.
Below are some clips of Bayern’s press which will give a fair idea of the above-mentioned scenarios:
How can Barça build from the back?
Exploiting a man-marking system is never easy. Dragging movements are one of the most vital concepts often used by many sides. Any of the pivots for say, Frenkie can drag Müller wide into the half-space channel opening the central lane for Nico to receive a diagonal ball.
If Müller does not follows Frankie, it leaves the Dutchmen free to receive and combine with Alba who can make an overlapping run, or Gavi who can drop to support and will have a 2v2 against the Bayern double-pivots (4v3 in the midfield).
Progressing from the wing channel is also necessary when forced out-wide which will essentially happen sooner or later thanks to the excellent qualities which the Bavarians possess. Something which Borussia Dortmund tried was interesting to see to progress from the right (Bayern’s left).
As soon as Meunier would receive from his Centre-Back, it triggered Alphonso Davies to leave his line and press Meunier exactly how mentioned above. Here’s what’s interesting: Meunier would take extra touches thereby having more time and a better passing angle and try for a diagonal ball inside for the BVB CM or AM to receive. However, this was done when there was some separation between Meunier and Davies.
For Barça, Ousmane Dembélé or Abde might play as the wing-back and will have a strong task to neutralize Alphonso Davies. As mentioned before, it’s very important to have space for Dembélé to receive before Davies approaches him. This can be made sure if the Frenchmen start high and drop which can possibly buy him more time and space. Even after receiving, it’s just important for the nearby players (DMs and AMs) to act as links in the half-space. This might be followed by a jump from a Bayern CB which means a run made into the channel be very necessary since the space becomes suffocated.
Bayern buildup from the back and rest-defence
Bayern usually build with 3 center-backs with Pavard inside as a wide RCB along with Upamecano and Lucas Hernandez. Kimmich whose injured for the game would play as a single-pivot supporting and with his crisp movements makes pockets of space for his team-mates to receive. With Kimmich injured and Leon Goretzka as well doubtful opens the door for Tolisso and maybe Musiala to play. Goretzka usually pushes high which complements the role which Musiala played in some games (inside Left-Winger creating a diamond which will be explained later). Although for the sake of simplicity I have kept Goretzka in my predicted lineup below.
The 3 centre-backs at the base with their personal traits and ball-playing ability are key to Bayern’s buildup and progressive play. Engaging the first line of press from the opponent and with dynamism from the Bayern midfielders like Thomas Müller in the example below it is very essential for the Catalans to press with much required “collectively”. In the below example, Müller stands on the half-turn with space. Upamecano recognizes this finds Müller to progress past the first line. It’s also interesting to notice how Kimmich manipulates the opposite marker which wasn’t of much importance as the play was switched to the opposite side but is still an interesting feature.
The 3 CBs with their individual quality are also very vital for Bayern’s rest-defence and circulation when needed. It is like they add an extra layer of solidity to an already very well stabilized team. When an attempted pass is failed, the CBs are very proactive and regain possession in majority of the time.
Sometimes, because of the game state, the CBs are not in their position and it can take too long for them to retrieve back into their positions. So in those cases, Bayern build with 2 centre backs whilst the full-backs stay wide but moderately high or low (it can essentially be called a traditional back four). This allows the full-backs in the pockets of space in the wide regions can see the opposite line of press to split creating passing lanes for the DM/AM to receive.
Below are some clips highlighting Bayern’s buildup play and progression which will hopefully give you a brief understanding of it.
Midfield Diamond, Outlets and Penetration
Bayern in the 2nd phase usually in the middle third of the pitch creates a diamond/box to facilitate passing and penetration. Leroy Sané drifts inside in the half-space, Thomas Müller moves into the right half-space channel and Leon Goretzka pushes high whilst Robert Lewandowski can pin the backline. For the width, Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman stay wide trying to stretch the opposition if needed.
A diamond essentially implies that 4 Bayern players in close proximity occupy central positions manipulating their markers directly or indirectly (for example link passes). All players at different heights tend to create dilemmas/questionable decisions for the opponent like whom to mark or press situations. With Robert Lewandowski pinning the backline, space between the lines for Leon Goretzka and Thomas Müller in particular expands. Which allows them to use their individual ability for the Bavarians to penetrate.
Once the attack moves into the middle-third like mentioned above, Bayern also have outlets in the wide channels —Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman. While staying wide gueing themselves to the touchline, they can stretch the oppositon and draw them wide to open channels or their teammates to run into. Both Davies and Coman are very capable of making runs in behind as well as combining with their near-side CMs.
On Wednesday, someone like Clément Lenglet and Ronald Araüjo will have to be vigilant. Araüjo, whose recovery runs are pretty decent will have to go toe-to-toe against the likes of Leroy Sané and Alphonson Davies. As for the Frenchmen, he’d have to prove himself against Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller. Müller’s combining ability and smartness with his movements have always been a nightmare for the Catalans.
What can Barça do without the ball?
(Disclaimer: I am not very good decoding pressing schemes and often wrong. Fell free to connect and provide your feedback here.)
Barcelona lately have been using Memphis Depay pressing from the front with Nico Gonzaléz and Gavi in the half-space channels “zonally”. To compensate for the outlets I can imagine Xavi to field his wide CBs and Wing-Backs to create a 2v1 overload for the outlet as the pressing trap. This can leave the very versatile and fast Leroy Sané space to operate. Hence, I would like Nico to man-mark Sané who can also drop into the backline when needed. Nico possesses those “physical” qualities and will probably have a decent impact in duels.
Barça alternatively can look to drop Depay onto Tolisso once Goretzka pushes high. Tolisso is not the best of the single pivots and won’t be that big of a problem. Hence, Gavi can curve his press onto Pavard making difficult passing angles for Pavard.
Conclusion and personal thoughts
All the players mentioned above are basically what I predict rather than what I want. So for me I would have Mingueza as the RCB and Araüjo middle of the CBs and yeah that means Gerard Piqué on the bench.
I think alot of the outcome for the game would depend individual performances from the players but tactical battles will still be a major role. The Bavarians go into the game as clear favourites but Xavi’s Barça are definitely going to pose a serious challenge.
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