Three observations from Bayern Munich’s 3-3 draw with AC Milan

Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure will likely be defined by his simplicity

Carlo Ancelotti deserves all the plaudits in the world for his coaching and tactical ability. Likely though his tenure at Bayern Munich will be defined by simplicity on the heels of Pep Guardiola.

The Spanish coach is a tactical mastermind whose formations and tactical changes are equal parts inspired genius and mad scientist. He’s played obscure variants of 3-man backlines in friendlies and experimented with box-to-box centerbacks and inverted fullbacks in games with reserve players.

Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics so far have consisted of playing a normal 4-4-2 with deep defensive lines and letting the players loose to experiment and find their own way to success. It has been as far from the rigidity of Pep Guardiola’s tactical iron fist as they can get. By the time the season kicks into gear and the bulk of the Bayern Munich team return, Ancelotti will surely have a middle ground between these approaches defined.

For now though, we at least get to watch Frank Ribery set loose on opposition defenses with wanton abandon.

Julian Green is not a striker

At least not yet. The American international was a mediocre high striker playing as the main focal point of an attack and is still far better suited to attacking at pace or off the back shoulder of the fullback.

He may one day be a good player for Bayern Munich but unless he really figures out how to play as the lone man up front or in concert with another striker, he’s not likely going to see very many minutes this season due to the depth Bayern Munich in wide areas. And given this is his contract year, if the playing time doesn’t come, the extension probably isn’t going to come either.

Holger Badstuber’s 30 minute cameo was fine

Holger Badstuber is back from injury. In possession he was more than acceptable, playing the ball out of the back well and crafting incisive linkup play between the midfield and backline for Bayern Munich.

His defense was another matter as one enormous gaffee gifted AC Milan their opening goal and was generally poor when bodying up against any mark presented to him. None of that is unsurprising given the injury setbacks in his career, but it’s still will likely be several months before we see the Badstuber of old make an appearance.