DFB Pokal 2019/20: Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich – Tactical Analysis

On paper, the DFB Pokal quarter-final was a one-sided affair, no arguments there. Hans-Dieter Flick’s Bayern Munich claimed 78% possession and reduced their opponents to only one attempt on target for the whole game. However, stats do not always tell the real story, as we know, fine margins separate winners at the highest level and today’s game was no different.

Only one goal decided this tie, and it came in the late stages of the first half. As Schalke 04 were defending a Bayern corner, a defensive header was met by Bayern’s young centre-back Joshua Kimmich. The German struck low from a volley on the edge of the box, and the ball hit the side netting, not before passing through the legs of two Schalke players attempting to block the shot. Although only having only 22% possession and averaging one attack every five minutes, David Wagner’s game plan was within inches of being considered a success. As his Schalke side hit the crossbar early in the first half and having what seemed a perfectly good goal reversed as replays showed the striker was offside by, you guessed it, inches, it was Bayern’s moment of good fortune sent them through to the semi-finals.

The tactical analysis below tells the story of the game from a tactical standpoint. Considering the most prominent aspects of both teams style of play and the tactics deployed by both managers, we show how both teams set up to execute their game plans and get success. With the support of key data and statistics, we are better able to understand where the game may have been won or lost.

Lineup

FC Schalke 04: 5-4-1
Wagner makes six changes to the side that fell to a 3-0 loss away to Koln last weekend in the league. Alexander Nübel vacates his position in goal in favour of 21-year-old Markus Schubert. Ozan Kabak is also withdrawn from the backline to be replaced by Jean-Clair Todibo, while Amine Harit is withdrawn from his midfield post to allow Timo Becker to join the backline as a fifth defender. Towards the front Benito Raman was dropped in place or Rabbi Matondo and centre-forward Michael Gregoritsch makes way for 30-year-old Austrian Guido Burgstaller.

FC Bayern München: 4-2-3-1
Flick makes only two changes to the side that ran six goals past Hoffenheim the previous week. Jérôme Boateng makes way for the 25-year-old French international Corentin Tolisso in centre-midfield as Joshua Kimmich drops back into centre-back beside David Alaba. Frontman Joshua Zirkzee departs and offers his spot to veteran Thomas Müller who moves up from his recent midfield role allowing the German international Leon Goretzka to play as the number ‘10’ just behind Müller in front.