Jupp Heynckes vs Pep Guardiola Tactics: Were Bayern better last season than this season?

Re: Kroos rumours There are no reports saying Kroos has signed a new deal at Bayern. As I've said: Expect news next couple of weeks

Manchester United Bayern preview: the ultimate mismatch

Manchester United Bayern preview: this Champions League quarter-final may put two glorious clubs against each other, but there is an elephant in the room. FCB is a strong favourite against an opponent that is a shadow of its former self. The first leg takes place on Tuesday at Old Trafford.

Manchester United, former glory

How often can you downgrade your opponent when going to the quarter-finals? The draw was a wonderful one for Bayern, since United is anything but strong in comparison to Arsenal.

The Mancunian team has two problems to deal with. First and foremost, David Moyes has pretty much the same team than his predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson. Some of his players are getting old and declining. Think of Rio Ferdinand, whose poor performances in central defence make him wish he could hide his face from the fans.

Secondly, Moyes isn’t a bad coach but he’s not a good one. His weakness this year shows to what extent Ferguson was a genius in terms of tactics and organization. Not without a reason, Manchester fans are wondering if he should stay any longer.

Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, usually with Robin van Persie as striker and Wayne Rooney at playmaker, United will miss the first guy, who is out for several weeks. Enter Juan Mata, acquired from Chelsea, who can shoot very accurately and be creative. He can play behind Rooney, who resumes service at striker, but not against Bayern in this tournament. Mata is cup tied.

For most of the season, Rooney pulled back a bit and provided balls forward. He’s decent at it, but it isn’t the optimal role for a guy who has a nose for goal as lone striker.

He can be clinical but the problem is to get the ball to him. The central midfield is hesitant and slow. It doesn’t have a boss to dictate the pace and distribute to the frontmen, who are the only attacking threats. Nani’s injury took a creative right wing away.

Importantly, ManU doesn’t have a big, pacey “Bundesliga counterattack”. Prevent the delivery to the middle and you will stop them. Maybe that’s why the English press is so keen on having Toni Kroos transfered.

The hosts also have a slow and static defence. They crumble when challenged with pace, creativity, crosses and headers. Nemanja Vidic is a good central defender, but he doesn’t have a solid partner. Moyes even experimented with Michael Carrick (a defensive midfielder) at CB and it failed because he lacked presence in the area.

Spaces to exploit

Rafael, at right-back, is absolutely beatable. His poor timing on challenges makes him earn yellow cards and give away free kicks. Attack him with the strongest offence in Europe and you will get scoring chances. Unfortunately for Bayern, Patrice Evra is suspended, so we won’t be able to take advantage of his clueless positioning at left-back.

United fans sure were happy after their 4:1 win against Aston Villa, saying “Bring on Bayern!” on social media. There is nothing to fear if you actually watched the game.

The first Rooney goal was due to a lack of coverage. Look at it.

Alone

His second goal was a penalty, stupidly conceded by Aston Villa. Juan Mata’s goal can be explained by terrible defending, three Villa players bunched up and unable to defend.

Then, the fourth was as last-minute goal, as important as Bayern’s seventh goal in a rout.

Threatened? Not me.

Possible lineup

Bayern, English side eaters

Against such an opponent, the best game plan that Bayern can adopt is to control the ball and look for spaces to exploit. The English side doesn’t have incredible pace, while the Reds do. Ribéry, Müller and Robben can easily fly past them, unless they play a conservative brand of football when defending. But then, Rafael should be the focus at right-back because I can see Ribéry devouring him all night long. Attack United with your left flank and you are very likely to be rewarded either with goals or free kicks.

Since their central defence is in a terrible state, throughballs and crosses should undo ManU’s positioning and we know that Mario Mandzukic can beat them in the air.

If Manchester United wants to attack for a while, then let them do so. Do as Liverpool recently did and burn them on the counter.

There are worries, of course. Thiago will be missing for the rest of the competitive season with his knee ligament injury. A valuable playmaker will not be available to feed passes to the attack. But we have seen that film a year ago, with Toni Kroos missing for the second half of the season. Thomas Müller deputized at playmaker, in style. Coincidentally, Kroos could be the difference maker this time around. Put Müller at no. 10 and pull Kroos back towards central midfield to pair up with Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Should anyone make anything of the 3:3 draw against Hoffenheim? No. It was a different, unmotivated Bayern. Not the Bayern that is eager to be the first to defend the UEFA Champions League since the format was created.

I predict a 3:0 win for the first leg.

Possible lineup