The DFB Pokal Final threw up an interesting fixture this year with Bayer Leverkusen taking on the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Bayern were coming into the game off the back of another title win, while Leverkusen came into the game fresh from a disappointing final day where their qualification to the Europa League, not the Champions League, was confirmed. Bayern came out 4-2 winners in the last fixture between the sides, and history repeated itself as Bayern secured another 4-2 win, albeit with the game being a vastly different one. Bayern were at their usual controlling best, manipulating Leverkusens structure with their movement and positional play, while Leverkusen did try to find weaknesses in Bayerns game, but ultimately couldnt do it consistently enough to get a result. This tactical analysis will focus mainly on how Bayerns press interacted with Leverkusens attempted overloads in the build-up, as well as looking at how Bayerns positional was complemented by their dynamic space occupation.
Lineups
Both sides went with relatively predictable starting elevens, with both sides using a 4-2-3-1. Bayern Munich lined up with the double pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, with the ever-present Thomas Müller ahead just behind Robert Lewandowski. Leverkusen meanwhile used Julian Baumgartlinger and Charles Aránguiz in central midfield. Both sides started with a base of a 4-2-3-1, but as well discuss throughout this analysis, flexibility is allowed within this formation.
Bayerns flexible press
The nature of a 4-2-3-1 press means that the pressing side can take up a range of structures throughout a game depending on the location of the ball and movements of the opposition, and Bayerns pressing is an excellent showcase of this. Throughout a game, they can fluctuate between a 4-2-3-1, 4-4-1-1, 4-1-4-1, and 4-4-2, with each slight alteration having a different effect on the oppositions ability to build.
Bayern pressed high throughout the game, and when the two centre-backs are able to be pressed directly from the front, Bayern will usually adopt an initial 4-4-2 structure. Thomas Müller, who operates behind Robert Lewandowski in possession, will jump up to create a two-man first line, allowing for the centre-backs to be pressed easily. Against a back four then, the wingers can match up against the full-backs, and the central midfielders will look to mark the opposition midfielders. We can see this structure being used here early in the game, with Joshua Kimmich sat slightly deeper to deal with the threat of a dropping forward.
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