In the DFB Pokal final, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich battle for the trophy. Whereas Bayern could win the double as they were already crowned Bundesliga champions, Leverkusen have the opportunity to win a title again (their last title win was back in 1993 winning the DFB Pokal) after they missed the qualification for the UEFA Champions League in the Bundesliga.
In the following match preview, we will provide tactical analysis of their last meet-up and explain what we can expect from the DFB Pokal final from a tactical perspective.
Why Bayern will be the clear favourite
Bayern did not just win the Bundesliga title, but they are also in excellent form under head coach Hansi Flick. Theyve won their last 16 games and have won a total of 28 of 31 matches under Flick. There was a clear improvement in terms of their positional play as well as their counter-pressing structure using Flicks favoured 4-2-3-1 system. Moreover, they press higher up the pitch and with a higher intensity. These are all things that lend Bayern more dominance. Something which Leverkusen, a side that usually like to have the ball for themselves might not like.
Furthermore, Leverkusens last game against Bayern spoke a clear language. Boszs team lost the game 2-4 and conceded further high-value chances. The fifth of the Bundesliga set up in a 3-4-3 system that allowed to put pressure on Bayerns back line and especially full-backs as the ball near wing-back would move up the line during the press. That way, Leverkusen could press left-back Alphonso Davies and prevent the Canadian from dominating the flank.
Within their own half, Leverkusen created a back five that allowed one of their centre-backs to step out of the back line if a Bayern attacker received the ball between the lines.
Leverkusens biggest issue was to defend Bayerns forward runs. Both, on an individual level and on a group tactical level, Boszs side failed to defend the space behind their back line. Sometimes more than just one centre-back left the back line which led to a huge gap. In addition to that, their wing-backs did not adjust their positioning to the height of the centre-backs. And last but not least, the body shape of the central defenders was poor as it disabled them to quickly turn and follow a forward run of a Bayern player.
