Training Day at Bayern: Tuchel's Midfield Masterplan Unveiled
Bayern got down to business at their winter training camp, with Thomas Tuchel putting his stars through their paces in chilly conditions. Following the warm-up, the team took to the pitch for a tactical training game filled with intriguing small-sided tactics.
Before the action kicked off, Tuchel addressed his team, huddled around the tactics board, explaining the finer points of his strategy with a detailed, passionate speech.
Glancing at the board, we see the pitch has been narrowed, with the outer lines pulled inwards towards the corners. This 'diamond pitch' layout is one that Tuchel frequently drills to hone their midfield play.
The tactics board also reveals different zones on the pitch: defense, midfield, and attack. The focal point is the creative midfield play, with four players lining up roughly in a line, mirroring the full-backs' moves into midfield common during Bayern's high-intensity matches.
There was always a free man in the middle, acting as a vital link for both teams.
Training went beyond the usual drills, with a tournament format featuring three eight-player teams, which proved to be quite the challenge. The squad included top professionals along with some promising youngsters, one of whom was perhaps overzealous: Benedikt Wimmer, an imposing U23 defender, stepped on Thomas Müller's foot. The four-time champion yelped in pain, writhing on the floor, before Wimmer offered a helping hand. Fortunately, Müller managed to return to action shortly thereafter.
The training session culminated with a winner's photo call: Kimmich, Gnabry, Krätzig, Laimer, Pavlovic, Choupo-Moting, Peretz, Aseko-Nkili, and a talented, motivated young defender.
Take the field: A snack-sized football lesson
Flexibility in Formations
Tuchel is well-known for his adaptable approach to formations, created to accommodate his players' strengths. At PSG, Tuchel experimented with various setups, including a 5-4-1, 4-3-3, and a bespoke 4-2-2-2, tailored to milk the talents of Kylian Mbappé, Angel Di María, and Neymar.[1]
Midfield Pivot
Tuchel tends to designate a midfield pivot; a central player who functions as the catalyst for midfield play. At Dortmund, the position was occupied by Julian Weigl, a deep-lying playmaker, offering penetrating passes. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Castro played a more traditional box-to-box role.[1]
Pressing and Counter-Pressing
Tuchel is well-versed in both pressing and counter-pressing tactics, a common theme among German coaches like Jurgen Klopp and Ralf Rangnick. Counter-pressing involves an immediate attempt to win the ball back after losing possession, a strategy that requires high levels of physical fitness and organization.[3]
Player Adaptability and Midfield Balance
Tuchel integrates specific players to complement his midfield, such as bringing in Raphael Guerreiro at Dortmund for his dribbling skills to enhance the midfield setup.[1] At the same time, he aims to strike a harmonious balance among defensive midfielders and box-to-box players.
Playing by the book
The general principles hint that Tuchel would continue to prize flexibility, midfield balance, and pressing/counter-pressing tactics in his coaching at Bayern Munich. These tactical philosophies are likely to evolve, reflecting the unique talents and skill sets within his squad.
{% hint style="info" %} Enrichment Insights
- Tactical blog articles and analysis suggest Thomas Tuchel's midfield strategy at Bayern Munich focuses on:
- Flexibility in formations
- Midfield harmony, combining defensive midfielders with more attack-minded players
- Counter-pressing, prompting immediate attempts to regain possession after loss
- Emphasis on midfield pivot, providing balance and creativity in the central region
- Player adaptability, with specific skillsets tailored to midfield roles
References:
[1] Sportskeeda Contributors. (2022, August 9). Thomas Tuchel - Former Coaching Styles and Analysis. [Sportskeeda]. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from
[3] The Coaches' Voice. (2018, March 2). [Pressing, Counter Pressing and Football Coaching Techniques]. Retrieved December 7, 2023, from {% endhint %}
- Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern's former coach, underscored the value of controlling the midfield in his tactical approach during his Bundesliga tenure.
- Leroy Sané, speaking to Bild, acknowledged that Nagelsmann's tactical approaches significantly influence his gameplay at FC Bayern Munich, even under Tuchel's management.
- The fb-instantarticles Headlines section featured an article exploring how Tuchel and Nagelsmann share similar tactical influences, drawing comparisons between their midfield strategies.
- In a recent interview, Tuchel admitted to closely studying Nagelsmann's strategies during his time at Borussia Dortmund, incorporating aspects of them into his game plan at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Source:
