Tactical analysis: direct attacks and the Javi effect against Bremen

Bayern Bremen tactical analysis: did the Bavarians play their best game on Saturday? Of course not, but let’s review the direct attacks, the Javi effect, and then defensive problems.

This piece is a big long, but I think you’ll like it.

Classic formation

The most encouraging fact is restoring the Schweinsteiger-Martinez partnership in the middle. And the way the 4-2-3-1 was deployed was more classic. Wider positions, the two central men where they belong, and full backs playing with wide positions. In this case, Weiser is near the ball and Alaba on the left.

Direct attacks

Did you feel that the passing game was more direct, less lateral? You have it right. FCB focused on creating scoring chances, even in the first half. On this play, Claudio Pizarro had two guys on him a moment earlier, but he still went for the vertical pass, hoping to create a chance. It didn’t work, but the philosophy was still the right one.

Same thing on this play. Weiser chips a pass to Mario Götze in the middle, creating a chance. It doesn’t give a goal, but there’s no wasting time. Going for the killer move instead of hoping and waiting. This is a big deal. This is the way Bayern has scored goals this season and last year.

One more of these. Alaba supports Ribéry on the left. He could think “hmmm, there is a risk that my pass will be intercepted, let’s bring it back to the middle”. No. He goes for it, it trickles to Ribéry, who will look for the cross.

Everyone will remember the Pizarro shot saved on the line in the 34th minute. But do you remember the pass and the run that led to it? There’s a crowd in the area but Bayern still goes for the goal. A nifty little pass to Pizarro, who doesn’t hit the brakes. He starts a run and has a shot on goal.

“You know I’ll get clear”

How do you open things up in the middle? The overlapping run, which was back during this game. Schweinsteiger, of all people, provided one for Philipp Lahm. The following play eventually led to a Javi shot on goal. In the middle.

Ribéry took a direct shot on goal from a distance. Wasteful plan? Hell no. He drilled it hard enough that Wolf had problems controlling it. He almost conceded on the rebound.

Close

Did the team abandon all its previous habits? No. Forming triangles to have passing options remained present.

Yet, that doesn’t prevent the Reds from finding room for a penetrating pass on the same play.

A cracker of a pass

With those tactics, Bayern was bound to score several goals. Let’s review them before talking about Javi.

How Bayern scored

1:1 Ribéry. Let’s break this one into two shots. First, Javi Martinez interrupts play in midfield, winning the ball back. A quick exchange will follow.

Right after that, Claudio Pizarro “goes direct” with a pass that makes Ribéry sprint between defenders, going forward to beat the keeper between the legs.

2:2 Pizarro. Solid work by Thomas Müller, who pulls back just enough for the header on the Ribéry corner, sending it straight to Pizarro who taps it in.

Toppings

3:2 Pizarro. All Pizza and Franck, both taking risks. The Peruvian striker doesn’t go for the safe lateral pass to Müller, but for the one that Ribéry can grab on the left, going down to attack.

A slice for Ribéry

Ribéry passes it back beautifully to Alaba, who gives it to Pizza, who sprints to the box to tap it in.

4:2 Schweinsteiger. Lateral passes? If you have the space that Philipp Lahm had, cross it. He does so, finding Schweinsteiger, who finds the net.

“Rise up”

“No problem”

The Javi effect

The people who kept claiming that my entrenched position about playing Javi in defensive midfield was nothing but 2013 nostalgia had it all wrong. Let’s take a look at how the Spanish international changes a game.

He made a contribution everywhere on the pitch, fighting for every ball. That’s why I’d have him over any defensive midfielder.

Example? My pleasure. Here, he’s basically latching onto whoever receives a pass. For several seconds.

“I’m coming for you”

“We’re not done yet”

“‘My precious!”

Another example

“I’ll follow you everywhere”

For your info, the ball ended on the right wing, with the Bremen player unable to create anything. His support was sucked up by the challenges.

Javi also has an effect on Schweinsteiger’s play. His defensive work is much better and more confident. He really applies pressure on this play.

The Schweini chase

You found a way to escape? Javi goes after you right away.

The Javi chase

The final result with FourFourTwo’s dashboard? A superb snapshot. Great passing accuracy and patrolling in the middle by Javi. Only one missed play, which is the yellow arrow for a lost air duel on the right flank.

A re-energized midfield applied more pressure on the opponent. Here, Thomas Müller does a great job counterpressing, making a guy concede possession.

Bittersweet defence

Despite all the positive points we reviewed, the defence was horrible in the first half.

0:1 Selassie. Jérôme Boateng gives the ball away on the right flank and David Alaba drifts to his left when running back, leaving Selassie uncovered. He sprints back to him, but it’s too late. He has enough time to beat Neuer.

1:2 Hunt. High ball on the left flank. Dante can’t win it. Now, look who’s going forward on this play (Boateng), as Hunt runs for the forward pass. The details of the play in the box are useless. This is where the goal could have been prevented.

The defence wasn’t just struggling on the goals. In the first five minutes, some sequences were scary. Despite having a larger number of players back, shifting pressure from player to player didn’t work. On the following play, David Alaba spends too much time covering one guy, who can pass to the right and create a scoring chance. Sometimes, you have to choose between attacking the ball carrier (he did not) or taking the free man (he did not).

On to the sweeter part. Winning the key challenges in the air is no small thing. 9 out of 9 on such decisive plays.

The same applies to clearances with feet. 12 out of 12. Much more efficient than usual.

Statistical points

Statistics by whoscored.com

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