On Wednesday evening, FC Bayern will intervene in the Champions League.
Tactics expert Thomas Broich explains what makes Munich so strong.
To kick off the
Champions League 2020/2021
which meets
Bayern Munich
on Wednesday (9 p.m., click here for the live ticker)
on
Atletico Madrid
.
Ex-professional and
ARD
expert
Thomas Broich
speaks in an interview about the tactical strengths of
FC Bayern
and a possible title defense.
In addition to
FCB
, Broich sees two clubs from
France
and
England
among the
favorites.
Munich - Thomas Broich (39) undoubtedly plays in the Champions League of TV experts.
The ex-professional (including Burghausen, Gladbach, Cologne, Nuremberg) analyzes for ARD with a calm voice and a trained eye for tactical subtleties.
The
tz
spoke to the native of Munich, who has been training Eintracht Frankfurt's U15s since the summer, about
FC Bayern
and the new season in the premier class.
Start in the Champions League: Broich reveals how you can defeat FC Bayern
Mr Broich, as the defending champion in the Champions League, FC Bayern is now the hunted.
How do you crack the Munich?
Thomas Broich:
Basically, the Hoffenheim company showed what the blueprint is.
I don't think they were the first to realize that, but they were the first to play with this consistency.
Bayern press enormously, the back four moves up to the center line at every opportunity.
So the midfield is kept compact and the offensive comes into pressing.
As a result, there is room behind the Munich defense chain.
If a team cancels out Bayern's pressing or counter-pressing and immediately attacks the back of the defense, they can create great opportunities with one or two moves.
Hoffenheim did it extremely cleverly.
I also liked the variant with the chip ball on the outside and the header duel against the full-backs.
You can crack Bayern like that, but every pass has to be perfect.
What are you particularly impressed with at FC Bayern under Hansi Flick?
Broich:
To be honest: I don't even know where to start.
Defensively, it is brave what Bayern play.
They put constant pressure on the opponent, hardly leave any team breathing space and are ultra compact.
Offensive it is very variable.
There is a threat of goals or speed runs behind the defense from everywhere.
As an opponent, you don't even know which player to defend against first.
In addition to Lewandowski, Müller or Gnabry, players like Davies, Goretzka or Kimmich also sprinkle goals and templates.
It really is amazing how many players are in danger.
FC Bayern in the Champions League: For Broich, fitness doesn't matter
Before the start of the season, Leon Goretzka raised the question of whether Bayern could pull off the intense style in this tightly timed season.
What do you mean?
Broich:
That's difficult.
I would rather go in the direction of Hansi Flick, who said that 100 percent is only possible and that is why the squad has to be filled twice in every position.
With the transfers, which in my opinion were very sensible, Bayern now have a completely different squad depth and are able to continue playing their intense style.
Often it is not just a question of fitness or stamina, it is also a question of what ambition and what mission a team still has.
What do you mean by that exactly?
Broich:
The Bavarians in their current composition have a historic chance, they are not finished yet and still seem hungry.
The chance to defend the Champions League title and thus move up the legends ranking in the Bayern internal hierarchy can be a brutal incentive.
That can also ensure that the power is there again even in this tough season.
Can Bayern possibly even shape an era like Real Madrid with the Champions League titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018?
Broich:
The renewal at FC Bayern has taken place, there is a lot of young blood in the team and a lot of power.
Some players have matured and slipped into leadership positions.
Kimmich, Goretzka and Gnabry have long outgrown their talent status and are now strong leaders.
In addition, you have players like Neuer or Lewandowski who have been performing for years and days.
It's a great mix that has a mission.
FC Bayern: The new Spaniard has already impressed Broich
+
ARD expert Thomas Broich
© dpa / Horst Galuschka
But Thiagos departure hurts.
Broich:
Yes and no.
There is still enough quality, the loss will not be a permanent issue now.
On the other hand, Thiago is of course an outstanding football that has qualities that you have to look for all over the world.
In one game or another Bayern might think: “Oh, we'd still have it.” But I also think that Marc Roca is a very intelligent commitment.
He played a very strong U21 European Championship, so you can't go wrong with the next young Spaniard.
Let's take a look at the other German Champions League participants.
What do you think RB Leipzig can do?
Broich:
Leipzig has hit a tough group with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, and with Timo Werner also suffered a bitter loss.
But RB is constantly developing under Julian Nagelsmann, has clear structures and a great deal of conviction in its own game.
You did not advance to the Champions League semi-finals for nothing.
Leipzig has not yet reached the end of the journey.
I trust them to make progress in this group - and given the budget of their competitors, that would have to be described as a small surprise.
And your ex-club Borussia Mönchengladbach?
Broich:
It's the same song at Gladbach.
If you are drawn into a group with Real Madrid and Inter Milan, you are not exactly the top favorite.
And Donetsk is not a walk-in customer either.
These are all real boards.
Inter-coach Antonio Conte is probably the coach who has mastered the chain three system best.
Real is probably the squad that can do the best in the Champions League - although their golden years are probably behind them for now.
For me, Gladbach plays the most beautiful football in the Bundesliga.
The mixture of intensity, pressing and combination football is there one hundred percent.
Still, it gets really difficult in a group.
Borussia Dortmund meanwhile has feasible tasks ahead of them, right?
Broich:
The Dortmunders supposedly got the easiest group of German participants.
The BVB squad has plenty of talent, but also a lot of very young players.
You will see how consistently they can deliver and whether they can bring the tough competition on the pitch in every game.
For me, BVB is a bit of a surprise bag.
Champions League: Expert believes a group opponent of FC Bayern will surprise
Which other teams are particularly exciting for you?
Broich:
The Europa League winners FC Sevilla are a troop that could also play a role in the Champions League.
But I also find Salzburg interesting.
With a bit of luck, the Munich group will be more than third behind Bayern and Atlético.
Salzburg did a great job against Liverpool and Napoli last season.
This year I really trust them because they are doing outstanding work.
And who will grab the pot of the handle?
Broich: In the past few years it was often the case that a team just barely made it, but in the season after that.
A defeat in the final and the pain that comes with it can be a real boost of motivation.
In this respect, I have PSG fully on the bill, plus Liverpool and Bayern.
I find it difficult to single out a club.
Interview: Jonas Austermann
