Bayern Munich has long been synonymous with dominance in German and European football. Under a succession of elite managers, the club has maintained a high standard of performance while continuously evolving tactically to meet the demands of modern football. Thomas Tuchel, who took charge in 2023, represents a new chapter in Bayern Munich’s storied tactical journey. Known for his cerebral approach to the game, Tuchel is a coach with a penchant for detailed preparation, tactical flexibility, and innovation. In this analysis, we’ll explore how Bayern Munich’s strategy is evolving under Tuchel, dissecting key aspects of their playstyle, formation shifts, and in-game adjustments.
1. The Evolution of the 4-2-3-1: Tactical Flexibility and Positional Play
One of Tuchel’s key contributions to Bayern Munich’s tactics has been his use of positional play, a concept he honed during his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea. Under Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern Munich often deployed a 4-2-3-1 system, emphasizing high pressing and wide attacking play. Tuchel has retained this structure but added a layer of fluidity that allows Bayern to adapt to different phases of play.
The 4-2-3-1 under Tuchel has become more dynamic, with players frequently interchanging positions. The double pivot in midfield, usually consisting of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, has a more defined role in facilitating ball progression. Kimmich, in particular, is given the freedom to drop deep and act as a deep-lying playmaker, allowing Bayern to build from the back with precision. Meanwhile, Goretzka’s role oscillates between a box-to-box midfielder and an auxiliary attacking presence, depending on the game situation.
In attacking transitions, the formation often morphs into a 3-2-5 or 3-1-6 shape. One of the full-backs, usually Alphonso Davies, pushes high up the pitch, while the other, often Noussair Mazraoui or Benjamin Pavard, tucks inside to form a back three alongside the center-backs. This allows Bayern to overload the flanks while maintaining numerical superiority in the middle, giving them multiple options to progress the ball.
Key Concept: Tactical Fluidity
Tuchel’s Bayern Munich is not rigidly defined by one formation. While they start games in a 4-2-3-1, the team frequently shifts shapes during different phases. This tactical flexibility allows Bayern to adapt to the opponent’s weaknesses. Against teams that press high, Bayern can drop into a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 in build-up to create passing triangles and bypass pressure. Against low-block teams, they adopt a 2-3-5, pinning the opposition deep and focusing on wide overloads and cutbacks.
2. High Pressing and Counter-Pressing: Bayern’s Intensity Under Tuchel
A hallmark of Tuchel’s coaching philosophy has always been his teams’ intensity off the ball. At Bayern Munich, he has instilled a similar approach, particularly in the pressing phase. Bayern under Tuchel presses aggressively, often employing a high press to force turnovers deep in the opponent’s half.
The first line of press typically consists of the center forward and wingers, who aim to block passing lanes to the opposition’s midfield. Tuchel has made slight adjustments to Bayern’s pressing structure, focusing on synchronizing the press between the forward line and the midfield. The double pivot plays a crucial role in this, with Goretzka and Kimmich both adept at reading the game and stepping up at the right moments to intercept or apply pressure.
This pressing style is designed not only to win the ball high up the pitch but also to prevent the opposition from building rhythm. Bayern’s high press often forces rushed clearances or risky passes, which are then capitalized on by the advanced midfielders and wingers. The team’s counter-pressing (Gegenpressing) is also crucial. When Bayern loses the ball, they immediately swarm the opposition in numbers to win it back, suffocating teams and preventing quick counter-attacks.
Key Players: Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry
Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry have flourished under Tuchel’s high-intensity system. Both are not only technically gifted wingers but also tenacious pressers. Their speed and ability to close down space quickly make them vital in Tuchel’s high-pressing scheme. Additionally, their positional versatility allows Tuchel to rotate them between wide and central roles, keeping the opposition guessing.
3. Build-Up Play: Controlled Possession with Vertical Progression
Under Tuchel, Bayern Munich has placed a stronger emphasis on controlled possession, but with an important twist: vertical progression. Tuchel’s Bayern is not interested in possession for the sake of possession; instead, the focus is on progressing the ball quickly through the lines and breaking the opposition’s shape.
Bayern’s build-up typically starts with the center-backs, who are encouraged to carry the ball forward when possible. Tuchel has relied heavily on Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano as his primary ball-playing center-backs. Their ability to step into midfield and deliver long diagonal passes is crucial in stretching the opposition.
The full-backs, particularly Alphonso Davies, are essential in the build-up phase as well. Davies’ pace and dribbling ability allow him to bypass opponents and carry the ball into the attacking third. On the opposite side, the more conservative positioning of Mazraoui or Pavard offers a balance, preventing Bayern from being exposed on the counter.
In the midfield, Kimmich acts as the orchestrator, dictating the tempo of play with his passing range. One of Tuchel’s notable changes has been positioning Kimmich slightly deeper in build-up, allowing him to receive the ball from the center-backs and distribute it with more time and space. Goretzka, on the other hand, plays a more dynamic role, frequently making late runs into the box or pushing high to disrupt the opposition’s defensive shape.
Verticality and Central Overloads
A key tactical nuance under Tuchel is Bayern’s increased focus on verticality. The wingers often tuck inside, creating central overloads and drawing the opposition’s full-backs narrow. This, in turn, opens up space for Bayern’s advancing full-backs to exploit wide areas. The central overloads also facilitate quick one-touch passing combinations, allowing Bayern to slice through compact defenses.
4. Defensive Shape and Transitions: Compactness and Discipline
Bayern Munich’s defensive organization under Tuchel has seen significant improvements. While Bayern was always strong in defense under Nagelsmann, Tuchel has made Bayern’s defensive shape more compact and disciplined.
When defending in a low block, Bayern often shifts into a 4-4-2 shape, with one of the attacking midfielders dropping alongside the double pivot. This shape ensures compactness in the center of the pitch, forcing the opposition wide. Bayern’s wingers, particularly Gnabry and Sané, are expected to track back and assist the full-backs, making it difficult for opponents to create overloads on the flanks.
In transitions, Bayern is more cautious under Tuchel. Instead of pushing too many players forward and risking exposure to counter-attacks, Tuchel prefers a more controlled approach, where the team’s shape is maintained even when pushing for a goal. This control minimizes the risk of being hit on the break, something Bayern struggled with under previous managers, especially in high-stakes matches.
Key Defender: Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt has been a standout performer in Bayern’s defense under Tuchel. His leadership, physical presence, and ability to read the game have been pivotal in shoring up Bayern’s backline. Additionally, his composure on the ball and passing range make him a critical component in Bayern’s build-up play.
5. Attacking Transitions: Speed, Width, and Finishing
Bayern’s attacking transitions under Tuchel are lightning-quick and lethal. Once Bayern wins the ball in midfield, they waste no time transitioning from defense to attack. Tuchel has emphasized quick vertical passes to exploit opposition disorganization, and Bayern’s front line is built to capitalize on these moments.
The wide players, particularly Sané and Kingsley Coman, are key to Bayern’s transition game. Their speed allows Bayern to stretch defenses and create one-on-one situations, while the presence of a mobile striker like Harry Kane or an advanced midfielder like Jamal Musiala ensures that Bayern always has runners attacking the box.
Wide Play and Cutbacks
Bayern’s wingers have been encouraged to take on defenders in one-on-one situations before delivering dangerous cutbacks into the box. This strategy has proven effective, especially when combined with Bayern’s central overloads, which pull opposition defenders out of position and create space for the cutbacks.
A New Tactical Identity
Thomas Tuchel has brought a new tactical identity to Bayern Munich. While maintaining the core principles of high pressing and possession, he has added layers of tactical flexibility, positional play, and defensive discipline. Bayern under Tuchel is a team that can adapt to different opponents, control matches with the ball, and strike quickly in transitions.
As the 2023/24 season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how Tuchel continues to refine his Bayern side, particularly in Europe, where tactical nuance often separates contenders from champions. If Tuchel’s early tenure is anything to go by, Bayern Munich is in good hands, and their tactical evolution could lead to another era of dominance on both domestic and international stages.