Bayer 3-0 Augsburg: What League Dominance Looks Like

This article written by Pepe Salazar

An “uneventful” match

From a distance this match was a bit dull, boring, uninteresting, almost until the last few minutes where Kane scored two goals. In the first half Augsburg did its job, only conceding two shots from inside the box, making Bayern fall into the horse-shoe pattern most possession based teams have to endure against cagey opponents. When Bayern went 1-0 up, the team had an xG of just over 3 goals, but a great performance by Augsburg’s GK kept things closer than they actually were.

So why does Bayern look a bit “boring” at times? Other than Musiala, it’s rare to see Bayern players try to take on opponents directly, especially in the half-spaces. We know Coman and Olise can do it, so we can’t say for sure if it’s a squad limitation or a tactical decision.

It does look like the team could benefit from midfielders that can penetrate through the half-spaces. Today Goretzka played mostly very short, sideways and backwards passes, seldom carrying the ball or risking a bit more.

Kimmich under Kompany is playing a very Kroos-like role, providing passes from deeper areas, mostly in a situational RCB or CB position in the build up, and inverted RB in possession. He is solid in these roles, but playing these roles also means he never ventures forward or makes runs, and the opponents have come to expect this.

Bayern is very predictable, which is why we’re seeing more and more teams abandon the idea of pressing and rather wait, sometimes comfortably, in their own half until Bayern loses the ball. This predictability is not negative but rather a by-product of a possession based positional approach where consistency is the main objective.

Defending with the ball

With a double pivot (at least nominally) that can’t carry the ball forward, make runs into the half-spaces, or take on opponents, Bayern’s resource is to have Musiala and/or Kane drop deep to carry the ball forward, and keep possession at all costs, which is efficient but makes the team lose a bit of momentum and sacrifice whatever surprise factor is left.

This squad at times can feel like there are no surprises, something that is not negative (if we think of prime Manchester City with Pep who was also rather predictable) and provides a general sense of safety, stability and the idea of defending through possession.

In fact, Bayern is accumulating clean sheets and conceding less and less counter-attacks as the Bundesliga moves forward, two issues the team had been dragging for nearly four years.

I think as fans we could complain and wish for more chaos, speed, and overall, risk taking, especially with players like Olise and Kane up front. However, if conceding goals from counter-attacks is what kept this team from being solid, it’s a good thing the problem is finally being addressed and without sacrificing the scoring output. The solution Bayern found hasn’t been to defend, but rather to prevent even having to defend.

Practice match and PSG

Not to demean Augsburg, as they did their job for nearly 90 minutes, but this match felt a bit like a preparation or practice match. Even the substitutions and tactical adjustments felt very careful and planned.

This practice of course was preparation to face PSG next Tuesday. Whether this training session was useful or not remains to be seen, as PSG under Luis Enrique are not a team that thrives on sitting deep and their squad is much more suited to venture forward with pace and aggression, so maybe Bayern will face more challenges on the counter, and maybe PSG will leave more space than Augsburg, which could benefit Bayern’s wingers.

Out of four decent opponents Bayern has faced this season so far this season, there are zero wins, two draws and two defeats. PSG is the last big club Bayern will face in the UCL so the win would be not only a relief, but a positive sign going forward that Kompany is making the pertinent adjustments and is also willing to adapt his tactics depending upon the circumstances.

Conclusion

What we saw today is the way most elite teams win league titles. Consistency, possession, minimizing risk, maximizing efficiency. While it may not be as exciting as a Flick-style relentless attack and pressing, or Nagelsmann’s chaotic and intricate play-style, what we saw today is at least partially what Bayern has needed for these past few years: balance, solidity and stability.

It’s enough to win the league without controversy. Will this system be effective against stronger opposition and elite tacticians? So far that remains to be seen but this coming Tuesday could be a big day for Bayern and Kompany in that regard.