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Analysis: Tin Jedvaj’s Remarkable Defensive Display Against Bayern
December 8, 2014 by
Edward Stratmann

Prior to the mouthwatering clash between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, Bayer’s manager Roger Schmidt knew the challenge that awaited his side, but knew what he needed from his side to win.
“We need to run like there is no tomorrow, and we need to attack like there is no tomorrow. That’s how we can surprise them.
“We need to stick to our system. We need to do what we’ve been doing all season, better and more extreme,” announced the former Red Bull Salzburg boss.
It’s clear the manager always expects a high level of output from his players, and despite his side eventually losing 1-0, he would’ve been proud of his young Croatian right back, Tin Jedvaj.
The 19 year old, who’s on loan from Roma, continued what has been a very positive season to date for him by putting in a hugely mature and disciplined performance against one of Europe’s elite.
Against Bayern it’s never going to be easy, and Jedvaj’s first half role was to primarily mark Robert Lewandowski. His secondary duties were too challenging, and saw him having to deal with Franck Ribery and Juan Bernat, who were always looking to attack down his flank.
He undertook his roles with the doggedness and desire his manager would’ve loved seeing from him. Obviously against such talented opposition who are always going to have the lion’s share of possession, things will be tough, but Jedvaj too, made things tough for Bayern.
Back to Lewandowski. The former Dinamo Zagreb starlet did a terrific job quelling the Pole, as he marked him tightly whenever Lewandowski was looking to receive the ball. On the odd occasion Lewandowski gained some separation to obtain possession, Jedvaj made sure he was on the scene soon enough with heavy pressure. Leverkusen’s number 16 was relentless. The second half saw Lewandowski move centrally, such was Jedvaj’s effectiveness in the first half.
The way he looked to impose himself physically throughout the contest was a real feature of his game, and something that continually gave his opponents a conundrum or two. He was forever jostling, throwing himself into tackles, bumping and even pulling shirts to gain any advantage he could, which importantly showed he wasn’t going to go down without a fight against a superb Bayern outfit.
At times an overzealousness when stepping up to challenge the ball carrier saw him caught out, but for the most part when he took the risk to win the ball, he won it. If he didn’t though, he’d always show great determination to get on his bike and track back immediately.
His positioning has often been questioned at times this season, but despite this aspect of his game not being his strongest point, there were plenty of moments where he read the play superbly to intervene with some vital interceptions. Definitely encouraging signs for the future as he continues to develop his craft.
The second half saw him mark the dangerous Ribery, and he applied himself admirably here too. Just as he made life difficult for Lewandowski, he applied the same bullish methods for the Frenchman, making him earn everything that came his way.
The highlight moment of his match was the goal saving interception he produced in the 59th minute. Here, after Lewandowski’s cross appeared destined for Muller, Jedvaj amazingly flung himself at the ball with his outstretched left boot to kill off the move. A moment of incredible athleticism and desperation.
The versatile defender’s ability in the air was another key factor, as it has been all season (he’s averaging 2.9 aerial duels won per game), with his great leap and 184cm frame seeing him contribute well in this regard. Combine this with the fact he often lines up against diminutive wingers, it’s not hard to see why he often dominates in this area. In addition, being comfortable playing centre back is obviously pretty helpful here too.
Remarkably, Jedvaj amassed a whopping 21 defensive actions on the night, yes 21.
Four tackles, eight interceptions, six clearances, one blocked shot and winner of two aerial duels were Jedvaj’s astonishing numbers from the night. These stats really do justice to the Croatian international’s huge effort on the night, and depict just how desperate he was to work for his side, in what was arguably Leverkusen’s biggest match of the season.

It’s been a great start to life at Leverkusen for the man many are already comparing to Paolo Maldini, for he’s receiving crucial game time (something he struggled for at Roma), he’s thriving within Roger Schmidt’s dynamic system and he even scored his side’s 2000th Bundesliga goal.
If Jedvaj can continue to improve, which he should do being only 19, the sky really is the limit for this undeniably gifted defender.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored