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Against Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich put on an offensive display of the highest order. The Bavarians sliced Frankfurt open dozens of times and scored five goals as a result. However, this number could easily have been even higher — such was the number of chances that Bayern created.
Here, I will take a look at some of the aspects behind Bayern’s brilliant offensive performance:
Menacing Corners
It’s true that Bayern had trouble defending corners in this game. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Bayern threatened every time the cavalry came into Eintracht’s box to attack a set-piece.
In this first clip, Kimmich whips the ball into the front post. Thomas Müller meets the ball with a diving header, which is blocked, but could have easily caused Frankfurt a more serious problem.
In another corner, Müller is again the target. The ball is hit to the front post where Müller deftly flicks the ball into the path of Robert Lewandowski — who hits the bar with his effort.
In this final corner clip, it’s an outswinger from Kimmich that finds Lewandowski’s head. Unfortunately, the Pole sends his shot just wide of the goal.
While Bayern didn’t score from any of their set pieces, they were constantly threatening. Set pieces were a key aspect of Bayern’s dominant attack.
Delightful dummies
Throughout the 90 minutes, Bayern’s attackers played multiple dummies. These thoroughly confused the opposition defense, proved a catalyst for many chances, and allowed the ball to progress high up the field quickly.
Below, Müller receives the ball and then proceeds to fake a cross with his right foot, a signature move for him. This completely fools the defender, who is sent back to Frankfurt, and allows Müller to deliver a dangerous cross into the box.
In this next clip, from Bayern’s first goal, David Alaba plays a fast ball along the ground for Perisic. The Croatian cleverly dummies over the ball, letting run on for Müller. From there, the German dribbles towards the end of the box before delivering a stupendous cross that Goretzka converts for a goal. This clip truly highlights the power of the dummy.
In this clip, the ball is passed into Lewandowski, who runs over it, making the ball bypass the Frankfurt midfield. In doing so, he creates a promising offensive opportunity for Coman, who receives the ball.
Sumptuous balls from deep and runners in behind
Joshua Kimmich, David Alaba and co. were constantly testing Eintracht’s back line with their defense-splitting long balls. They found Bayern attackers making darting runs in behind the defense all game. Kimmich was especially superb. He may not be a destroyer or excellent defensively, but he sure is able to pick out a magisterial long-pass.
Below, Kimmich has the ball around 40 yards from goal. He spots a run from Perisic (who has shaken off his marker) and plays a marvelous floating chip to the Croatian. Perisic fails to score, but the move highlights how big chances can be created from deep.
Here, Kimmich and Goretzka play a one-two before Kimmich plays another beautiful dink over the opposition back line in the direction of Davies. This excellent chance showcases Kimmich’s quality and precision. He elegantly threads a perfectly weighted pass with his left foot.
Alaba is a crucial member of Hansi Flick’s Bayern setup thanks to his elite ability to pass from the heart of defense. That skill was on display through the match and a major reason for Bayern’s final goal. In the below clip, the Austrian plays a swashbuckling through-ball to Serge Gnabry, cutting through the defense like a knife through butter. The ball then finds its way into the net via an own-goal by a Frankfurt defender.
Crossing, attacking interplay, and the Raumdeuter
Throughout the match, Bayern’s players played all kinds of combinations, constantly switched positions, and delivered good crosses. Thomas Müller in particular was all over the pitch in an energetic display. These three factors were big aspects of Bayern’s dominance.
In this clip, Müller identifies a free space and roams into it. Then Kimmich exchanges a one-two with Müller, which allows the defensive midfielder to move into a crossing position. From there, he delivers a perfect cross to Benjamin Pavard.
Below, Alaba plays a familiar drilled ground pass to Coman. The Frenchman flicks the ball into the path of Perisic, and, just like that, a 3v3 situation has presented itself. Bayern created chances like this one having attackers exchange positions, with simple interplay, and with one-touch passing.
For Davies’ goal, the youngster plays a (now common) one-two with his partner on the left wing before dribbling, confusing the Frankfurt defense and scoring off an opposition player’s loose pass.
In the below clip, Neuer launches the ball long to Coman, who beats a defender to flick the ball on to an onrushing Müller who is always looking for the second pass. The Raumdeuter gets into a threatening position before delivering a poor cross into the box — poor because a simple pass back to Coman would have likely resulted in a goal.
However, right after the previous clip, the ball ends up with Alphonso Davies (who’s not getting much recognition in this film-room, but was truly fabulous). The Canadian fan-favorite then puts the ball into the mixer, where Müller has made a trademark run in behind the defense. From there, a (on-brand) awkward control and finish from Bayern’s 25 makes the score 2-0.
Attacking interplay and crossing was also apparent for Bayern’s third. Here, Müller peels off to the right-wing. Kimmich finds him with a lobbed pass, which Müller directs down the right flank to Coman with his first touch. Coman then plays a delicious cross to Lewandowski and the ball ends up in the back of the net.
In the final part of this section, Müller picks up the ball on the right side of the pitch and launches a deep, wide cross onto Perisic’s head. However, the Croat is unable to direct the ball into the net.
Simply put, this was one of Bayern’s best performances of the season from an offensive perspective. The Bavarians created chance after chance, and thoroughly dismantled Frankfurt. Thanks for reading!