Bundesliga 2021/22: How Adi Hütter’s tactical transition sparked a Gladbach comeback vs Bayern – tactical analysis

Bayern Munich ended 2021 in excellent form, winning their last seven games, with special results against Borussia Dortmund and Xavi’s Barcelona, and most would think Bayern will enter the new year, and carry on where they left off. As some may say, different year, same Bayern. Borussia Mönchengladbach sits on the other side of the Bundesliga form table, having won only one game in their last 6 league games, suffering heavy defeats to the likes of FC Köln and RB Leipzig 4-1, and a 6-1 loss to SC Freiburg.

The mark of a new calendar year can be the start of change, and Adi Hütter’s Gladbach certainly need to get their act together as games during this period come thick and fast, and points need to be put on the board if they still want to fulfil their European football ambitions. For Bayern, the league already looks wrapped up at the halfway point, but shows signs of a team that will stay motivated and not take their foot off the gas before the championship is won. While their mindset will not be diminished over the long term, COVID-19 is currently affecting the league leaders, with stars such as Manuel Neuer, Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies, out of contention against Gladbach in their Friday night match-up.

In this tactical analysis, I will be delving into Bayern Munichs first phase organisation and explaining how some of Julian Nagelsmanns subtle changes aided ball progression during the first half. Also, I will be looking into Gladbachs comeback away from home, in addition to their transition tactics.

Line-up

Bayern employed a 4-2-3-1 formation; in goal, Sven Ulreich. In defence, Joshua Kimmich and Marcel Sabitzer at full-back with Benjamin Pavard and Niklas Süle at centre-back. In midfield, Marc Roca and ex-Chelsea academy graduate Jamal Musiala, with Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Malik Tillman just ahead. Leading the line, Robert Lewandowski.

Gladbach utilised a 3-5-2 formation, with Yann Sommer in goal. The back three were made up of Nico Elvedi, Tony Jantschke and Matthias Ginter, with Luca Netz and Stefan Lainer at wing-back. In midfield, Christoph Kramer, Florian Neuhaus and Kouadio Koné. In attack, Breel Embolo and Lars Stindl.

Bayern’s space occupation

With a covid-19 shot team, Julian Nagelsmann had to make some slight alterations to his team, which may look quite confusing in the eye, but there was a method to his madness. Bayern’s build-up varied throughout; beginning play within the first phase with a flat back 4, with their double pivot staggering and creating space between them. Bayern would sometimes set up in a flat back three, with Sabitzer tucking in, creating a 3-3 shape during the first phase of play. From this point, Bayern Munich made use of different ways of creating space, which aided their ball progression.

A tactic used to good effect regarding playing the ball forward and progressing play was Bayern dynamic movement within this phase and pinning opposition players to create open lanes, which could pass the ball through or carry the ball forward.