In what was set up as an enticing tactical battle between two superb managers, RB Salzburg took on Bayern Munich in Austria in matchday three of group A in the UEFA Champions League. Jesse Marsch and RB Salzburg as a club are famed for their pressing tactics, and so against a Bayern Munich side so polished in their build-up, an interesting battle was predicted.
We did indeed get to see an interesting battle between the two teams, and as expected, the main talking points seen from the game were RB Salzburgs pressing scheme, Bayern Munichs build-up, and the perhaps cruelness of the scoreline. As a result, in this tactical analysis, I will mainly focus on the pressing used by RB Salzburg throughout the game, and examine how it interacted and affected Bayern Munichs build-up.
Lineups
Using a similar premise to Lokomotiv Moscow, RB Salzburg opted for a very narrow 4-3-2-1 formation, with Sékou Koïta acting as a striker with Dominik Szoboszlai and Mergim Berisha sitting as narrow inside forwards. Bayern Munich lined up in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Joshua Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso in midfield along with Thomas Müller in his more advanced usual role.
RB Salzburgs pressing scheme
We can see the general ideas and principles around RB Salzburgs pressing scheme below. The key focus of Salzburgs pressing scheme was to restrict Bayerns ability to play in central areas, and therefore force the ball wider. The lone striker would apply pressure on the centre-backs, and when given certain triggers (which well discuss) would cut off one side of the pitch with his cover shadow. The inside forwards had the role of limiting access to the ball near pivot while also remaining compact in the half-space. The ball-near central midfielder would move across to press the Bayern full-back if a pass was played.
Throughout the game, RB Salzburgs inside fo
