Only four games into the Bundesliga season we experienced our first top of the table clash. RB Leipzig have been the pace-setters in the early weeks, beating Union Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach. In doing so they had notched up an impressive nine goals in three games, whilst only conceding twice. Last season’s champions Bayern Munich have started well too. After the disappointment of the opening weekend’s draw to Hertha BSC, they bounced back by beating Schalke and demolishing Mainz 6-1. Through three games they had scored 11 goals and conceded three.
With Borussia Dortmund faltering against Union Berlin in a shock defeat at the end of August, it was the perfect chance for either Leipzig or Bayern to seize the momentum in the early stages of the chase for the Meisterschale.
Bayern took the lead in the third minute through Robert Lewandowski, but Emil Forsberg equalized before half time from the penalty spot. The game would finish 1-1. This tactical analysis examines the tactics used by both Julian Nagelsmann and Niko Kovač as their two sides battled it out at the Red Bull Arena.
Lineups
Leipzig began the game in a 5-3-2; a formation they used in their win over Frankfurt. However, in the second half, they reverted to a 4-2-3-1 to mirror Bayerns 4-2-3-1 formation. Lukas Klostermann made way for centre-midfielder Diego Demme, whilst Nordi Mukiele was pushed to right-back.
Bayern naturally lined up in a more cautious formation than they had against Mainz, where they played a 4-3-3. In this game, they had played with Thiago Alcantara and Philippe Coutinho working as attacking midfielders. Although Alcantara kept his place, he was used in a deeper role. Coutinho was relegated to the bench.
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