Bundesliga 2019/20: Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen – tactical analysis

Oliver Glasners Wolfsburg welcomed Florian Kohfeldts Werder Bremen on the 13th Bundesliga match-day. While Wolfsburg ended their losing streak a week ago in Frankfurt, Werder Bremen were without a win in the last six Bundesliga games before this game. Nevertheless, both sides are interesting to watch under their current head-coaches and could both be ranked higher in the league according to their xPoints values.

The following tactical analysis will explain why Werder Bremen could win the game 3-2 despite Wolfsburgs well structured positional play.

Lineups and formations

Wolfsburg deployed their typical 3-4-3 system under Glasner. With their narrow wingers occupying the half-spaces and being positioned between the opposition midfield and defence they enabled the wing-backs to push high up the pitch.

Werder Bremen, on the other hand, lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Whereas their midfield three comprised of a single pivot and two advanced midfielders in possession, it changed to a double pivot and one advanced midfielder during the defensive phase. On the single-pivot position Philipp Bargfrede replaced Nuri Sahin to lend his side more defensive stability.

Wolfsburgs positional play

In possession, Wolfsburg set up in a 3-4-3 with a box midfield (two defensive and two advanced midfielders) and striker Wout Weghorst up front. As one can see in the graphic below, their midfielders positioned themselves rather narrow while the wing-backs provided width.

With their positional play, Wolfsburg could dominate the end of the second half in the opposition half. By occupying all of Bremens midfielders in the centre and the half-spaces, Wolfsburg enabled their wing-backs space on the flanks.