Bundesliga 2019/20: Bayern Munich vs Koln

In Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund and Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich seem to have found serious rivals for the Bundesliga title this season. Against FC Köln, Bayern were the clear favourites and in need of points after their draw against Leipzig. Achim Beierlorzer’s Köln, on the other hand, struggled in their first Bundesliga matches this season.

The following tactical analysis will explain the reasons to Bayern’s win over Köln. Moreover, our analysis depicts Köln’s interesting tactical features that enabled them to create several opportunities against the reigning champions.

Lineups and formations

Bayern started into the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Although having played with a 4-3-3 system a few times already in this season, Niko Kovač decided to line up Joshua Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso as a double pivot behind playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Bundesliga 2019/20: Bayern Munich vs Koln - tactical analysis tactics — Lineups of Bayern and Köln [Credit: Wyscout]

Köln, on the other hand, used a 4-1-4-1 shape to counter Bayern’s midfield trio. In midfield, Marco Höger was supposed to stabilise the defence in front of the backline while the more dynamic and creative advanced midfielders in Dominick Drexler and Ellyes Skhiri lent Köln more attacking power up front. Moreover, Achim Beierlorzer tasked his wingers, Kingsley Schindler and Florian Kainz, to attack down the flanks and put in crosses for striker Jhon Córdoba.

Bayern’s left-sided attacking approach

Instead of parking the bus, Köln tried to press Bayern in the opposition half. With a 4-1-4-1 shape, Achim Beierlorzer’s team attempted to prevent Bayern from playing out from the back.

However, their setup with only one attacker only enabled them to shut down the ball near centre-back while pressing. Often, Bayern created a diagonal passing lane towards the ball far central defender to switch play.