Bundesliga 2019/20 – Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen – tactical analysis

One of the most tactically-interesting matches of the Bundesliga was Bayer Leverkusen coming to Borussia Park to take on Borussia Mönchengladbach. Two points separated the two teams prior to the match, with Gladbach holding onto third place. After Leverkusen’s 3-1 victory, they now sit in third place, leapfrogging Gladbach, who now sit a point behind Leverkusen.

This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by both Peter Bosz and Marco Rose in their Bundesliga match. The analysis will provide an explanation of what both clubs attempted to do in order to earn the three points in a race for a UEFA Champions League place.

Lineups

Marco Rose sent his men out in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Yann Sommer in goal and  Ramy Bensebaini, Nico Elvedi, Matthias Ginter, and Stefan Lainer forming the back line, with Elvedi and Ginter as the two centre-backs. Florian Neuhaus and Tobias Strobl were the two holding midfielders with Breel Embolo playing as the attacking midfielder, although he was subbed off early with an injury and was replaced by Lars Stindl. Marcus Thuram worked on the left-wing, Jonas Hofmann worked on the right-wing, and Alassane Pléa was the lone striker.

Peter Bosz’s squad started the match in a 3-4-3 with Lukáš Hrádecký in goal. In front of him were the back three of Aleksandar Dragović, Lars Bender, and Edmond Tapsoba. Daley Sinkgraven worked on the left side of the pitch while Mitchell Weiser began on the right with Kerem Demirbay and Charles Aránguiz patrolled the centre of the park. The front three consisted of Moussa Diaby, Kai Havertz, and Karim Bellarabi.