The quarter-finals of the DFB Pokal saw Bayern Munich take on 2. Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim. In what unfolded as a nerve-racking contest of goals, penalties and cards, both teams adapted tactically throughout the game. In this tactical analysis we see how Niko Kovač’s Bayern gained an edge over Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim to reach the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal.
Ever since Heidenheim achieved promotion to the second tier of the German League, they have not looked back. They continued their dream run in the cup after beating Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern Munich have left it to the second half of the Bundesliga season to pick up their invincible form. They managed to keep their standards high in the DFB Pokal and capitalise on their experience in the tournament to tackle the Heidenheim challenge with 10 men.
Lineups
Kovač decided to play Thomas Müller as the striker while keeping Robert Lewandowski on the bench as a backup. He also opted for the in-form Serge Gnabry to start and provide attacking threat alongside Franck Ribéry, who at 35 might very well be playing his final season with the German giants. In defence, he chose Niklas Süle to partner Mats Hummels.
The Heidenheim line-up saw their regular 4-3-2-1 formation that sometimes transformed to a 4-4-2 in defensive phases. Robert Glatzel was their reliable goal-poaching target man alongside captain Marc Schnatterer. Heidenheim maintained a packed midfield of three in front of their back four, marking central midfielders aggressively and keeping spaces tight.
Heidenhein anticipated Bayern would play out from the back instead of aiming long balls to Müller or Gnabry. Hummels and Süle sought James, Thiago or Goretzka to receive passes between the lines and progress higher up the pitch.
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