One of the most tactically interesting matchups in the Bundesliga this weekend saw Peter Boszs Bayer Leverkusen take on Julian Nagelsmanns RB Leipzig. The managers have had some interesting match-ups in the past, with Peter Boszs possession-based style of play often clashing with Nagelsmanns style, and so the game was set up to be another interesting encounter. As it happened, the game was a fairly even affair, with both teams doing a good job of nullifying each other and being tactically astute. In this tactical analysis, we will look at the tactical approaches of both teams and how these interacted with each other, as well as examining the effect Julian Nageslmanns tactical change had on the game.
Lineups
In true RB Leipzig fashion, their formation was adjusted throughout the game and doesnt resemble the graphic provided by Wyscout here. As I will detail within the analysis, their first half formation resembled more of a back-three with Dayot Upamecano, Lukas Klostermann, and Nordi Mukiele making up that back line. Bayer Leverkusen meanwhile used a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3, with a midfield three consisting of Kerem Demirbay, Charles Aránguiz, and Florian Wirtz, with Wirtz filling the role of Chelsea new boy Kai Havertz.
RB Leipzigs first half pressing
As mentioned, Leipzig started the game in a back three, with their lineup seemingly resembling a 3-4-3 on paper. The interesting part of this 3-4-3 was the role of Yussuf Poulsen, who did not engage in the first line press and would often change Leipzigs shape to a 3-4-1-2. Poulsen was tasked with the role of covering the ball-near Leverkusen pivot, and so he would drop slightly deeper and look to cut off the pivot as a passing option. The two wingers would then be tasked with pressing the centre-backs, and they would usually cut the inside lane and show the pass to the full-backs, however at times like the one below, they would press in at an angle to cut the lane wide. The Leipzig central midfielders could cover the nearby Leverkusen midfielders, and as a result, Leipzig could maintain a 3 v 3 and prevent their midfield from being manipulated and overloaded.
We can see an example here where Leipzig sho
