Vincent Kompany’s first season at Bayern Munich was seen as a success.
After an entertaining title race, the Belgian won back the Bundesliga title from Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern’s consistent domestic performances in the 2024/2025 season were offset by multiple evident lapses in UEFA Champions League matches.
In this article, we will examine the finer tactical details that Bayern lacked, both collectively and individually.
We will also discuss positions that require new players and identify which transfers would be optimal fits.
While Simeone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan knocked them out of the Champions League, the Bavarian giants showed signs of a rather dominant side, just missing out on small details in their gameplay.
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Bayern Munich Gameplay Issues
Under Vincent Kompany style of play, Bayern Munich are known to dominate possession and tire out the opponent before they find an opening to penetrate.
However, during the 2024/2025 season, they seemed to be out of ideas against well-structured defences.
Joshua Kimmich, for instance, played most games as the midfield general.
He operated from deep and controlled the game.
Although he had a terrific season statistically, his impact could be of a much higher calibre.
Bayern also struggled to get consistent performances out of their wingers, barring Michael Olise.
The Frenchman had a stellar debut season, racking up 35 goal contributions in all competitions.
Not Playing Vertical Enough
It was very common to see the Bayern Munich midfield play the ball to the wide areas.
It was not played even when a line-breaking pass into the central zone was available.
In this image, Kimmich‘s vision is set on the player hugging the touchline (Konrad Laimer in this case).
The defender in front of him sees that and slides across.
This would cue Kimmich to play to the option available in the half-space (Michael Olise).
But he ends up playing it wide, which does not yield much offensively.
In this example, Kimmich is receiving a pass from Leon Goretzka.
As he performs a critical scan, he sees no clear forward option for a one-touch pass.
He ends up bouncing it back to Goretzka.
As shown in the picture, Laimer is closely followed by an opponent.
If he can get enough separation from his marker, Kimmich can find him.
Furthermore, he has a progressive option in Harry Kane, which is a bit higher.
Here, Kingsley Coman takes a touch infield and plays it sideways.
However, there is ample open space to play a pass in behind.
The chemistry between Kane (spotlight) and his left-winger is missing.
Supporting Player(s) Positioning
On multiple occasions, the player on the ball looks to play vertically.
However, there is either a lack of options or the supporting player is not in the right position.
In this example, Harry Kane drops to offer support to his centre-back.
However, the pass is intercepted.
As shown above, the Englishman has positioned himself in the opponent’s cover shadow.
He needs to adjust his angle of support.
This is an important example of how Bayern Munich has performed this season.
Very often, there is a vacancy in the pockets of the central zone.
Kimmich is positioned between the lines of the opponent’s midfield and defence.
He can occupy the space shown above.
In doing so, he creates multiple passing angles with his teammates.
Lack Of Ball-Carrying
While circulating the ball, numerous scenarios arise where spaces open up.
These spaces allow the player with the ball to drive forward.
Waiting for an option to play a pass in this situation usually closes off a much better opportunity for progression.
Bayern’s double pivot throughout the season has not helped.
Both players are more comfortable operating outside the opponent’s defensive structure.
This means that they do not prefer carrying the ball into tight areas but rather playing around it.
In this image, Leon Goretzka is on the ball.
He plays it over the top to Konrad Laimer, which is read well by the opponent.
A helpful solution here could be driving into a bit of space available in front of him.
This would invite one of the opponents to press.
It would be a good chance to penetrate and find a player in between the lines.
Goretzka, being a centre-midfielder, is expected to often operate between the lines and pockets of space.
Unfortunately for him, he is not too comfortable doing so.
In this example, Joshua Kimmich plays a long pass to the right-winger.
However, the defender reads it and intervenes.
The German international has space available in front of him.
He can carry the ball forward and entice one of the opponents to jump.
This will open a passing lane to one of the players behind that line of defence.
Forcing Progression When Numerically Inferior
To execute a successful attack, one must possess quality and innovative ideas.
With that in mind, one of the most critical components is the numbers.
A team can attack effectively by creating numerical superiority in a particular part of the pitch.
In a case of numerical inferiority, the best bet is to shift play.
In this scenario, Bayern are attempting to progress down the right flank.
However, the opponents have the situation well-read and have employed numerical superiority defensively.
In a 5v3 numerical interiority, Bayern should be opting to shift play.
But they choose to attack and end up getting dispossessed.
In this situation, Bayern Munich left-winger Leroy Sané is on the ball.
He only has one teammate (Harry Kane) to support him against five opponents.
A wise decision would be to hold onto possession.
However, he dares to go through the crowd and ends up losing the ball.
Taking Too Long To Shift Play
Playing against defensive sides can be tedious.
They often go into a mid-block or a low-block and rely on positive transitions for goals.
To penetrate them, it is essential to attract them to one side and quickly shift play before they reorganise.
Bayern have been lacklustre in this very action.
Here, Joshua Kimmich gets presented with an opportunity to switch play to his right-back.
Seven players from the opponent side are attracted to one side of the pitch.
However, he takes too long to decide; the pass is not played.
It is because one of the opponents steps up to get within pressing distance of the free player.
Disconnection Amongst Pressing Players
Like any other possession-oriented side, Bayern Munich also presses high to win the ball at the earliest.
If structured and executed well, the high pressure becomes a useful part of every top team’s game.
However, in the event of lapses, it can potentially do more harm than good.
Although Bayern are known to carry it out effectively, they were fairly inconsistent and were bypassed on multiple occasions.
In this example, three Bayern Munich attackers are in good positions to apply pressure.
However, the opponents get an outlet, as Leroy Sané is disconnected.
Inter Milan’s goalkeeper plays it out to his right side, where the pressure has not arrived yet.
This action gives them enough space and time to progress the ball down their right side.
In this scenario, Bayern throws numbers forward to have zonal man-to-man orientations in place.
Their goalkeeper and back three are under pressure, so their midfielder drops to offer support.
Leon Goretzka has not closed him down.
As a result, he receives the exit pass and turns to progress it.
Not closing him down directly takes out four Bayern players from the game.
Tracking Blindside Runners
While defending in a high line, it becomes crucial for the side’s centre-backs to be wary of negative transition.
Teams that prefer defending deep often deploy pace in the form of runners for counterattacks.
Intelligent runs are often made from the defenders’ blind side.
A lack of quality and frequency of communication makes the defending team susceptible to conceding goals through negative transitions.
Here is an example of Bayern conceding a negative transition, which ultimately resulted in a goal for the opponent.
Min-jae Kim fails to track the runner in time.
He makes a run from the Korean’s blindside to receive a through ball and slots it in the net.
Positive But Inconsistent Actions
One important collective action Bayern Munich needs more consistency with is forming passing triangles.
The Bavarians have been seen to create some incisive moves that end up in crossing or shooting actions.
In this image, a triangle between Kingsley Coman (left-winger), Alphonso Davies (left-back), and Jamal Musiala (attacking midfielder) is seen.
The objective is to create a third-man run for a cross.
Another example of a passing triangle: Musiala and Coman, along with Raphaël Guerriero (left-back) in a slightly wider area.
The objective is either for Musiala to receive a set pass to drive infield or to release Coman for a crossing opportunity.
This is a scenario that Thomas Müller has created several times in his Bayern Munich career.
He picks the right moments to drag a defender out of position to create space for a teammate.
In this particular situation, he plays a one-two with Olise to set him up for a shooting action.
With the German leaving the club after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, Bayern will hope for Musiala to step up.
The 22-year-old has shown great promise in slightly different actions.
Sacrificial movement to create space for teammates is an area where he has yet to refine himself.
Vertical passes do not always yield direct penetration.
However, they can help create space in a different part of the pitch.
In situations where an advanced player receiving cannot progress it himself, he can set it back to the passer.
It is also possible to bounce to a different angle, either to a different player or the same player in a different position.
In this example, Goretzka plays a vertical pass to Kimmich.
He then passes it to Musiala before retrieving it and bouncing it back to Goretzka.
Through this collective action, the group of opponents quickly closed the space down.
When the ball comes back to Goretzka, there is open space in a different part of the pitch.
Possible Bayern Munich Fixes Through Transfers
There are clear signs that Vincent Kompany could improve significantly with a few key transfers.
With Bayern Munich securing Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen, they now have four starting-quality centre-backs.
The Bavarians now require reinforcements in midfield and attack.
Required Profile In Midfield
Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala seem the most probable candidates to be regular starters right now.
However, Bayern lack the profile of a central midfielder—a number eight who can operate between the lines and carry the ball into space, bringing verticality.
Inter Milan’s Nicolò Barella fits perfectly in this player profile.
But getting him on board might seem infeasible as he is a crucial component for Inzaghi’s side.
However, there are a couple of suitors in the same league that Bayern Munich can look into.
Khéphran Thuram Emerging Talent
A realistic transfer would be Juventus’ Khéphren Thuram.
The Frenchman is 24 years of age and possesses commendable ball-carrying ability.
Here, we can see that he takes on the ball to carry it forward.
He drags all the nearby opponents close to him before he lays it off to a teammate in space.
Tijjani Reijnders High In Demand
AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders has been one of the most sought-after players this year.
With Manchester City pushing for his signature, it would be a tough battle if Bayern Munich were to pursue him.
He has been a crucial figure for Milan since the departure of Sandro Tonali, effectively filling his role in central midfield.
The Dutchman is adept at driving with the ball.
Apart from that, he has been a formidable force for Milan’s attack, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.
His strengths include dribbling, shooting, making key passes, and operating effectively in tight spaces, particularly in the final third.
Weaknesses include physicality and aerial duels, which might render Bayern deficient defensively.
In this image, Reijnders drops to receive between the lines.
This is an issue we discussed earlier in the article.
Both midfielders in the double pivot prefer operating outside the opponent’s structure.
Required Profile For Attacker
Bayern Munich requires a left winger who can bring more directness and variation to their attack.
A player who can link up with other attackers will do Kompany tactics a world of good.
Cody Gakpo Stellar Season At Liverpool
Bayern have kept a close eye on Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
He can play multiple positions in attack, including left-winger.
Thus, one advantage of getting him would be his versatility.
He likes to play direct and often prefers to cut inside to either cross or shoot.
He has impressed this season, with the end product to show for it.
In 32 starts in all competitions, he scored 18 goals and assisted six times.
Rodrygo Goes To Bayern?
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo could be on the move if a relevant offer comes in.
It is no secret that the Brazilian wishes to play as a left-winger.
It would be the best possible signing for the Bavarians, given their requirement.
Rodrygo can play wide as well as in the half-space.
He can shoot and cross with both feet and possesses elite close control.
In this image, Rodrygo’s starting position is relatively wider.
He looks to receive in the half-space, as there is open space available.
Here is another example of the Real Madrid winger operating in the half-space, linking up with a teammate.
Kaoru Mitoma: The Nifty Dribbler
Quite popular at Brighton & Hove Albion is the Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma.
Bayern Munich have also been assessing him as an option.
He tends to come inside, either through dribbling or link-up play with nearby teammates.
Here is an example of Mitoma using a teammate to link with and drive infield.
Conclusion
Bayern Munich have struggled to penetrate the centre.
This is mainly due to a lack of vertical play, which includes vertical passes and ball-carrying.
There have been situations where no players are available in pockets of space.
The solution for this can be signing a central midfielder who can play between the lines and can carry the ball into space.
Bayern are also struggling with the inconsistent link-up and direct play in wide areas, especially the left side.
The solution is to acquire a left-winger with a good mix of link-up and direct play.
The issue is a lack of variation in attack.
Therefore, a winger who can both cut inside to shoot or cross and go down the line for a cut-back or cross would be highly valued.
