"Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany have typically expanded their backline as far away from each other as feasible to try and stretch opposition pressing lines. However, today, it seems Kompany had noted Frankfurt's 4-4-2 structure as being particularly adept against stretched defenses, as the distance between the centre-backs is easily exploitable if smart pressing is enabled to win the ball."
"In response, Bayern kept the centre-backs fairly close to each other, compressing the build-up into more central areas, with Joshua Kimmich patrolling the wide right less than ever before, leaving it to Sacha Boey. With one of the full-backs tucking in centrally, Frankfurt's block compacted too, and this often allowed the centre-backs or deep midfielders (or Harry Kane) to spray balls across the width of the field to the wingers who kept their width and then had isolated 1v1s against Nathaniel Brown and Aurelio Buta."
Bayern Munich won 3-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt by adjusting defensive spacing to counter Frankfurt's 4-4-2. Kompany kept the centre-backs closer to compress the build-up into central areas and limit exploitable gaps. Joshua Kimmich withdrew from his usual wide patrol on the right while Sacha Boey provided width. One full-back tucking in compacted Frankfurt's block and allowed centre-backs or deep midfielders to switch play to wide attackers. The move created isolated 1v1s for wingers against Frankfurt full-backs, with Gnabry and Laimer exploiting half-spaces at speed and producing sustained control and chance creation.
Read at Bavarian Football Works
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]