Can be dangerous on counterattacks: Bavaria's high line of defense with David Alaba
Photo:Pool / Getty Images
"Guuut, alles okaaay" could be heard over the TV microphones from Bayern after Lyon had freed themselves from the Munich pressing in the initial phase, but the subsequent attack could just be cleared. It sounded like construction work. As if Bayern's defenders were assuring each other that they had everything under control.
They didn't.
FC Bayern are in the final of the Champions League, they have won each of their ten season games in the premier class, scoring 42 goals in ten games. The record is 46 goals, Barcelona set it up in 2000, but in 16 games. Since the beginning of February (0-0 against Leipzig), Munich have won every football game they play. There's not much to criticize about this team.
But these ever-winning Bavarians looked pretty impressed with Lyon's style of play.
Actually, the people of Munich are not characterized by their offensive alone. The high line of defense under coach Hansi Flick is particularly striking. The defensive chain pushes extremely forward, in own possession of the ball, which is essential for the possession team, but also when the opponent attacks.
The advantage of this style of play: There is hardly any opportunity for the opponent to play through midfield. Too many Bavarian legs. And if you try, you will be pressed down like Barcelona recently.
The table seventh of the French Ligue 1, however, gave Bayern more trouble. Anyone who has seen Bayern's two games in Lisbon, the 8-2 win against Barca and now the 3-0 win against Olympique Lyon, even recognizes a certain logic.
Bavaria was lucky at the beginning
Barcelona were an aging team that lacked athleticism. Their midfield was overrun, whose storm was not fast enough to cause lasting damage to the Munich defense. Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi, 33 each, failed to outpace David Alaba or Alphonso Davies. At least at the start of the game, even the Catalans made it into the back of the Munich defense several times in a dangerous way. So where the rooms were huge. A risk that Bayern consciously took.
Lyon may have the weaker players than Barcelona. But it had the faster ones. And so a dangerous mixture of counterattack and high line of defense emerged. You were a little lucky at the beginning, said Flick afterwards. Goalscorer Serge Gnabry chose almost the same words.
3rd minute: Memphis appeared free in front of Manuel Neuer - and hit the outside net
Photo: MIGUEL A. LOPES / AFPAfter just over three minutes, Lyon played the ball in the back of the Bavarian defense for the first time and revealed how quickly it can be dangerous for Bayern when the opponent conquers the ball, a clear plan for switching movements and speed in attack come together. Memphis appeared free in front of Manuel Neuer, let himself be pushed away by this a little and hit the outside net. It took Gnabry's stroke of genius to make it 1-0 before Bayern got the game under control.
Just as you tended to exuberance after the 8-2 win against Barcelona, the effort Bayern had this time tempted you to be a little too critical of them. In the end, they won confidently because they took their chances. And seen over 90 minutes, they had the better of them.
Only the final opponent on Sunday evening, Paris Saint-Germain, seems to be by far the most unpleasant opponent that Munich will have to deal with this season. Because PSG has the squad together that it needs to survive against Bayern's style of play in two ways.
Mbappé is considered perhaps the fastest striker in the world
In the build-up of the game, coach Thomas Tuchel's team has much more ball security than Olympique. Defense chief Thiago Silva is not prone to hasty actions; Side man Presnel Kimpembe is one of the most exciting defenders of the competition; where others choose the liberation blow, he dares no-look passes. In Marco Verratti, the most pressing-resistant midfielder of the Parisians could return to the starting line-up in the final. Against RB he celebrated his comeback as a substitute after an injury.
For the first time in a long time, there should be an opponent waiting for Bayern who does not choose the long ball every time they try to press. And even if he does, it can be dangerous. Because this time the strikers who will attack the spaces behind the Bayern defense are Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Ángel di María.
Mbappé is considered to be perhaps the fastest striker in the world. Neymar is one of the best dribblers. Di María is also a weapon with his speed and his game intelligence, against RB he was directly involved in all three goals.
Flick criticizes simple ball losses
When asked about the upcoming, biggest task of this season, Bayern coach Flick said he "does not think that Lyon's offensive forces are so much worse than those of Paris".
Lyon have scored an average of 1.68 goals per game in all competitive games this season.
Neymar and Mbappé alone have a combined 1.77 goals.
Only briefly after the semi-finals Flick became strict with his team. You have allowed yourself a lot of simple ball losses, the opponent played that into the cards, he said. The areas behind the defense were not defended in the same way as was otherwise the case: "These are things that we have to put aside as quickly as possible." There was silence for a second. Then, as if he had forgotten something important, Flick started again. He is happy. The team did an excellent job and deserved to be in the final.
That also sounded like construction work.
Icon: The mirror
