Bundesliga 2019/20: Hertha Berlin vs FC Augsburg – tactical analysis

As the footballing world starts to get back to some form of normality with major European leagues, such as La Liga and the Premier League, announcing dates for their return, the Bundesliga continues to attract viewers from all leagues to its screens. This weekend saw Hertha Berlin host FC Augsburg at the Olympiastadion.

With both sides having only a short amount of time to prepare for this fixture after their midweek games, they entered the match looking to take three points, having both drawn in their previous games. Hertha still have a chance of reaching the European places, having only conceded two goals in their last four games since the restart under Labbadia. Augsburg travelled to Berlin looking to improve their poor run of form, having only won once since the restart.

This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by both sides in the game that finished with Berlin winning 2-0, taking all three points. The analysis will identify Herthas use of the wide areas to build play, as well as dissect why Augsburg lacked any real penetration progressing the ball through the thirds.

Lineups

Bruno Labbadia set out his Hertha Berlin side in his favoured 4-2-3-1, a system that he has used in every game since taking over. Veteran and first choice keeper Rune Jarstein started in goal, with Dedryck Boyata and Jordan Torunarigha cementing their place as the two central defenders. Maximilian Mittelstädt started in the left-back role and Peter Pekarík, one of two players Labbadia brought in for this game, started at right-back. Per Skjelbred and Marko Grujic played as the double pivots, whilst Vladimír Darida, Dodi Lukébakio and Javairô Dilrosun played the attacking midfielders roles. Dilrosun was the second player brought in, replacing Matheus Cunha, who missed out due to concussion. Vedad Ibisevic led the line for Berlin.

Heiko Herrlich set out his Augsburg side in a 4-4-2 formation which he has only used 25% this season and changed to a 3-4-2-1 when in possession. 33-year-old Andreas Luthe started in goal, with a back four made up of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Marek Suchy, Felix Uduokhai and Iago Borduchi. Their midfield four consisted of Ruben Vargas on the right-wing, Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee on the left and two central midfielders of Carlos Gruezo and Rani Khedira. Sergio Córdova and Eduard Löwen started in the strikers’ roles.

Hertha Berlins wide build-up play

Since Bruno Labbadia has taken over the reins at Hertha, they have scored 11 goals in four games. One of the most efficient ways that teams under Labbadia like to build the play is through the use of the wide areas, eventually progressing the ball into the box through the use of crosses from both wide channels. Throughout the game against Augsburg, Hertha produced 26 crosses. However, the effective use of the wide areas to progress the ball was a key tactic which Hertha exploited during the whole game. Under Labbadia, Hertha are averaging an xG per 90 of 1.57, which has significantly increased since the first ten games under Klinsmann, where they only averaged an xG per 90 of 0.97.