Bundesliga 2020/21: Bayern Munich vs Schalke – tactical analysis

Bayern Munich had the opportunity to delay the start to their Bundesliga season because of their victory in the UEFA Champions League last month. The Bavarian club could have had a couple more days of rest and preparation before beginning their 20/21 campaign, but they instead opted to keep with the tradition of having the previous year’s title winner host the opening match. It was quite clear that Bayern did not need time to prepare for their opponent, as they defeated Schalke 8-0 in their opening match.

This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by Hansi Flick and David Wagner in their opening-day match. The analysis will examine how Bayern used the half-space to overwhelm Schalke, how Schalke didn’t do themselves any favours with their defensive set-up, and how Leroy Sané fits into Bayern’s game model.

Lineups

Bayern Munich came out in their 4-2-3-1 with Manuel Neuer in goal for Hansi Flick. Their two centre-backs were Niklas Süle and Jérôme Boateng with Benjamin Pavard starting as the right-back and Lucas Hernandez as the left-back. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka started as the two holding midfielders, with Thomas Müller in front of them. Leroy Sané, fresh off his transfer from Man City, started on the left wing, Serge Gnabry started on the right wing, and Robert Lewandowski began the match as the team’s forward.

David Wagner sent his squad out in a 4-4-2 with Ralf Fährmann in goal. Schalke started Bastian Oczipka, Benjamin Stambouli, Ozan Kabak, and Sebastian Rudy in their back line, with Rudy and Oczipka as the full-backs. Nabil Bentaleb and Suat Serdar started as the central midfielders with Amine Harit on the left wing and Rabbi Matondo on the right. Their two forwards on Friday evening were Gonçalo Paciência and Mark Uth.