Tactical Analysis : AS Roma 1-7 FC Bayern

Roma vs Bayern starting lineup

Both team start the match by displaying high defensive line and intense pressing. As we can see

from the start, AS Roma players try to run the match in high tempo of play. Roma play with their common shape, 4-3-3. Guardiola opts for 3-2-2-2-1 flexible formation.

AS Roma pressing deep in the Bayern defense line

FC Bayern pressing deep in the AS Roma defense line

In 8th minute, Robben makes a lateral move from the left flank and comes into the half space, between the left back and the center back. Lahm then gives a simple short pass to Robben, before he fires it to the right post and scores the first goal. A Robben’s trade mark goal, cut inside with ball and fires it with his left foot to the far post.

Bayern first goal. Robben lateral move exploits the AS Roma half space. AS Roma players make not enough cover here. Robben easily goes into the space and receives the pass. The crucial point of this goal, is, the Robben perfect timing to move into the channel and how Roma players position themselves in covering the space. This combination gives Robben plenty of time to think before he scores the first.

AS Roma players react to the first goal. A very good chance in the 10th minute almost changes the score line. But, Manuel Neuer makes a fantastic save and denies the Gervinho’s left foot shot.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa sees the Gervinho’s movement and gives him a killer ball into the space.

With Robben on the right and Bernat on the left, Bayern put constant pressure to AS Roma. Things getting more difficult for Roma, as Bayern effectively press AS Roma in their own area. A moment in the 16th minute shows that. Thomas Muller and Philip lahm pressure forces Radja Nainggolan to loss the ball. It creates a dangerous situation after Muller takes control of the ball and passes it to Lewandowski. Fortunately for Roma, the shot goes over the bar.

Bayern pressing system, once again, shows us how effective it is to force AS Roma loss the possession and being the root cause of the goal number two.

Bayern space control. Take notice on perfect space control by Bayern players which forces Torosidis to hoof the ball clear into the empty space. Alonso then intercepts it, recycles the ball, and gives it to Bernat. Bernat then passes the ball to Lewandowski who stays on the right side of Roma defense.

The moment after Bernat passes the ball to Lewy. You can see the AS Roma Defensive positioning. There are two Roma players put the pressing to Gotze. The red circle behind them is the vunerable space. Gotze and Muller see it. A pass into that space picked up by Muller. If one of Manolas, Rossi, or Torosidis could form narrower and deeper shape, Roma might get the chance to push Bayern wide and allowed no space for them to come into the central area.

After passing to Muller, Gotze cuts inside and makes one-two combination between them. A simple tap from the outside of the box makes it two for Bayern.

In only two minutes later, Bayern make their third goal. It’s Robert Lewandowski who scores with an easy header. The important point of this goal is, the too deep devensive line of AS Roma, no pressure puts onto Xabi alonso and AS Roma defenders horrible anticipation when dealing with Bayern players off the ball movements.

7 players of AS Roma in the defensive area. Ashley Cole clears the ball.

Xabi takes the Ashley Cole ball clearance. He has a huge space. His deeper position allows him to see many options in front of him. No any single AS Roma’s players tries to bother Xabi

Xabi delivers a killer ball to Bernat. Bernat, then, makes a good float cross where Lewandowski has been waiting for. One simple header. A relatively easy goal for Lewandowski.

Five minute later, minute 30, Arjen Robben makes his second goal. An assist by Thomas Muller. This goal, absolutely once again, raises the question to the capability of AS Roma defensive line. The Bayern 4th goal is not a counter attack one. It’s purely a build up play from behind, but, strangely, AS Roma give too huge space to Bayern players.

David Alaba passes the ball forward, Thomas Muller drops deep to pick up the ball near the center circle. Robben moves from behind on the right side. Muller sees it and he passes into the space where Robben would go. Huge space for Robben. Too huge space for such situation.

Bayern 4th goal by Arjen Robben. AS Roma simply give too much space. A too huge space for a non counter attack situation.

In the minute 36th, Bayern add their goal collection to five. David Alaba is the man of the goal. Plays as the left central defender and stays back at all time, prior to the 4th goal, Alaba then acts as a Box to Box Central Defender (B2BCD). He moves forward gradually, penetrates into the AS Roma right back line. His cross hits the left hand of Manolas. The reff awards Bayern a penalty. Muller takes it and changes the score line.

This goal shows us two things. (1) The unique role of David Alaba, a central defender who acts as a box to box midfielder (something strange for a central defender in 3 men behind). (2) There is asymmetric shape in Bayern plaing scheme. The left side to be more aggresive than the right one. Especially, when Alaba joins the attacking transition and takes part in attacking phase. This could be another secret weapon of Bayern attacking strategy.

On the right side, Robben is the main attacking gun. He sometimes intercharge with Philip Lahm. This is another flexibility shape of Bayern under Guardiola. Lahm is one of bayern deep creator (along side with Xabi). The difference, is, Lahm has another task to balance the right side if Robben cuts inside far to the central area of the opponent.

These two briliant micro-tactic set up being the crucial part of how Bayern trash Roma into pieces. Josep Guardiola is simply the best.

In the second half, Bayern still play with same basic shape. They still try to control the game. Rudi Garcia makes 2 major changes. Cholevas in for Ashley and Florenzi for Totti. Ashley Cole arguably one of the worst performer in this match. By replacing him, Garcia hopes to find some refreshment for his team defense line.

A moment in the 49th minute is something to take notice by Guardiola and his players. This is a simple example of how intense pressing has to be followed by sharp focus for the whole match.

Bayern players overload the left side of their defense area. Iturbe realises it. You can see there is huge space to exploit by Iturbe. Lucky for Bayern, Roma fail to make use of the space.

Minute 53rd. A shoot from Gervinho hits the left post. It seems Bayern defenders are getting difficult when it comes to deal with pacey players. What Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) did in their last encounter had shown it. In this match, Gervinho could several times finds a good space with his quickness and makes some dangerous situation to Bayern. Guardiola must pay attention to such threat.

In the 78th minute, Bayern add their goals to six. This time, Frank Ribery successfully makes use of Robben through pass. This goal is the epytome of Guardiola very fluid system of play.

See the players and their positions. Gotze the central forward (after Lewandowski out) acts as false 9. Ribery, the left attacking midfielder intercharges with Gotze and occupies the central area. Robben drops deep, picks up the ball, and makes the perfect pass. And, the player on the upper right? David Alaba, baby. Such fluid and confusing for the opponent to deal with.

Just two minutes later, Xherdan Shaqiri makes the 7th goal for FC Bayern. De Sanctis couldn’t control the Rafinha’s long shot. The rebound falls to Shaqiri, as Manolas and Mbiwa react to nothing and lets Shaqiri to slot the last goal. AS Roma 1-7 FC Bayern.

From this goal, once again, Bayern central midfielder proves to be the most crucial part of the team. You can see the image below.

As Bayern loss possession, AS Roma players try to make quick attacking transition. Pjanic passes the ball to Nainggolan. But, Xabi at the right place and the right timing to tackle Nainggolan and directs the ball to Rafinha. Had it not Xabi’s quick thinking and reaction, there would no shoot from Rafinha and no goal for Shaqiri.

This the positioning right immediately after Rafinha releases a long shot. Manolas and Mbiwa bad positionings and reactions have let Shaqiri moves freely before slotting the 7th goal

Conclusion

AS Roma players find so much troubles caused by Bayern intense pressing. There are a lot of times Roma players forced to make long passes, which easily to deal with by the Bayerns. The first goal of Robben being the very crucial part. Which, in my opinion, starts ruining Roma plan of play. The fast 2 goals (the 2nd and the 3rd ones) in only two minutes, simply end the game. What happens on Bayern’s fourth goal proves it. As Roma give Robben too huge space to come into. Something should not be happened, as it is a non counter attack goal. The sixth goal is the best goal. It is the goal which showing off the fluidity of Bayern under Guardiola. The permutation, the intercharge, the quick transition, and the quick counter attack, which is finished with style.

Despite couple of chances they let Gervinho to come into space, Bayern defensive line play quite well. Benatia can hold his nerve as he serves to be the opponent in front of his former supporters. The deep creator duo, Xabi alonso and Philip Lahm prove to be the best in this match. The first goal is inisiated by Lahm passing into the half space. The 2nd, the 3rd, and the 7th goal of FC Bayern are all started by Xabi Alonso interception in the opponent area. Juan Bernat also plays very well as he couple of times can make decisive runs and wins some ball fighting against Roma’s players.

Some people might be thinking Arjen Robben is the Man of the Match, but, for me, the Man of the Match is Xabi Alonso.

Bayern under Guardiola are the team from different dimension. You can’t categorise them in one or two basic shapes of play. The shapes they took are very very flexible. We can see 3-4-3 or 3-2-2-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-2-1 or anything else, which Bayern see it appropriate to be played for a specific in game situation.

What Lahm, Alaba, and Guardiola do, are ones of the revolutionary idea in the era of modern football. The hyper-hybrid shape and roles, if you can see them and enjoy it as the new chapter of the game.

kynTnaRa,

For more updates, please follow our Blog or follow the Twitter @ryantank_
Thank you so much for sharing, liking, and retweeting this article