Bavarian Football Works - Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: 2020 Champions League quarterfinals full coverageManufacturing goals in the German tradition, for domestic consumption and for export.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47275/bavarian-fave.png2020-12-07T17:30:00+01:00http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/rss/stream/211250502020-12-07T17:30:00+01:002020-12-07T17:30:00+01:00Former Barcelona coach says they hit “rock bottom” against Bayern Munich in 8-2 defeat
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g_bIkqhQE9iPXF1Va11Ceshxsaw=/0x0:3997x2665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68470798/1266360448.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The assistant manager of Quique Setien opened up about Barca’s historic defeat last season.</p> <p id="foobUR">When Barcelona faced <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> quarter finals last season, people around the world witness the end of an era. The Catalans suffered a historic 8-2 defeat, getting completely outplayed by the Bavarian machine in every possible aspect of the game. The humiliation was so severe that Quique Setien was fired just hours after the final whistle, and Leo Messi finally tried to organize his exit from the club last summer. </p>
<p id="Hqx2Kg">Now, Setien’s assistant manager Eder Sarabia has come out and spoken about what it felt like to concede EIGHT goals in such a huge encounter. Speaking to Marca (via <a href="https://www.football-espana.net/2020/12/07/barcelona-coach-on-humiliating-bayern-munich-defeat-sometimes-it-is-good-to-hit-rock-bottom-to-lift-your-head">Football Espana</a>), the former Barca man said, “In the Champions League, after playing a great return game against Napoli, Bayern were next. In that game it was evident, as everyone knows, that the outcome was a consequence of many years and many things that were not done well. But we are very calm and proud of the work we did.”</p>
<p id="VSxn1b">Something tells me that Barca fans won’t be very happy with that answer. However, he’s right when he pins the blame on a culmination of several factors at the club. As we speak, Barcelona are currently operating under a provisional board with elections planned in January. The former president, Josep Maria Bartmeu, resigned after a vote of no confidence from club members — with the 8-2 game in August one of the major sources of dissatisfaction. </p>
<p id="vqADQz">Sarabia spoke about the chances Barca had in the game, saying, “I do not have nightmares about Bayern because there were many things that were not in our control. You analyse it and it is undoubted that they were better, they had a great day although we also had our moments. I remember one from Luis Suárez, another when Busquets hit the post … the game could have changed.”</p>
<p id="knihmM">“But that was a consequence of many things in the past, but we look forward. There are players like Piqué who have come out and have explained things well. When you have not done things well for so long, these kinds of things happen. Sometimes it is good to hit rock bottom to lift your head. It was our turn. It is a shame what happened, but we do not have any grudges.”</p>
<p id="PBJgIv">Barcelona are currently 9th in La Liga with 4 losses after 10 games. So either Mr. Sarabia was mistaken about hitting rock bottom, or the Catalans found a shovel so that they could keep digging. Barca are such a mess right now. It’s kinda funny actually. </p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/12/7/22158520/bayern-munich-barcelona-8-2-coach-quique-setien-rock-bottom-luis-suarez-leo-messi-champions-leagueIneednoname2020-10-16T00:10:16+02:002020-10-16T00:10:16+02:00FC Duren officially better than Barcelona after losing only 3-0 to Bayern Munich
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<img alt="The FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich Club Badges" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_K6iQYyoZW3Tj9ds5BbOqXiTZhA=/145x0:5050x3270/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67638956/1270387680.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Visionhaus</figcaption>
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<p>Ever heard of Duren? Well, you have now. They’re better than Barcelona. </p> <p id="VXXPV1">Anyone remember that time <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a> beat <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> 8-2 in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>? Well, we haven’t forgotten. One of the biggest defeats in UCL history, it caused the sacking of Quique Setien and almost made Lionel Messi leave Spain. </p>
<p id="R8bd1C">Well now, a plucky little club from the fifth tier of German football can pride themselves on being better than the Catalans. 1. FC Duren, a team established only two years ago, have just lost 3-0 to Bayern. That, by definition, makes them clearly superior to Barcelona. It also makes them better than Schalke, but almost any team can be better than Schalke, so we won’t insult them my making that comparison. </p>
<p id="bjbh3F">Memes aside, Duren really did play well. Bayern started with only a few first teamers in the lineup — only <span>Thomas Muller</span>, <span>Jerome Boateng</span>, and <span>Alphonso Davies</span> can really be called “regulars”. There was no <span>Robert Lewandowski</span> or any other international player in the lineup (aside from Sule, who missed Germany’s most recent game). The rest were mostly new signings like <span>Douglas Costa</span> and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, or youngsters like Jamal Musiala. </p>
<p id="gofmbZ">Duren tried to exploit the Bavarian’s lack of team chemistry by coming out firing right from minute 1. They pressed with a ferocity that defied their humble origins, and kept a competent tactical shape throughout the game. It was hard for Bayern to create openings, even with Champions League level forwards up top. Many Bundesliga and even UCL level clubs could learn something from the Oberliga men. </p>
<p id="Iwz7ob">Bayern will now advance to the second round of the DFB Pokal, and they have <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/arminia-bielefeld">Arminia Bielefeld</a> up next in the league. That will be followed by a mammoth fixture against <a href="https://www.intothecalderon.com">Atletico Madrid</a>. Duren, meanwhile, can go back home proud knowing that they achieved their primary objective — being better than Schalke and Barcelona. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dirk Ruhrig (FC Düren sporting director) on tomorrow's game against Bayern: "We want to do better than Schalke and Barcelona" [Bild]</p>— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) <a href="https://twitter.com/iMiaSanMia/status/1316476277021343744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2020</a>
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<p id="O1onUE">Mission accomplished, lads!</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/10/15/21518176/bayern-munich-vs-duren-official-barcelona-champions-league-schalke-win-muller-messi-lewandowskiIneednoname2020-08-16T21:19:28+02:002020-08-16T21:19:28+02:00Jerome Boateng talks about Bayern Munich’s upcoming match against Lyon and the demolition of Barcelona
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eXuLum1drm2pdOTcDCMzdXoryQ8=/0x0:4436x2957/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67211717/1266327728.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Will Boateng be able to grab the second treble of his career this year? </p> <p id="Vm7gnE">When <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/?_ga=2.35645985.14020649.1597590508-1380536025.1596909495">Bayern Munich</a> drew <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/?_ga=2.35645985.14020649.1597590508-1380536025.1596909495">Barcelona</a> for the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league?_ga=2.63761071.14020649.1597590508-1380536025.1596909495">Champions League</a>’s one-legged quarter final this season, everyone started talking about how it could turn out to be the biggest match of the year. And yes, when we look back at Friday’s match between the two European giants, it is safe to say that it was more remarkable than what most people anticipated.</p>
<p id="DO5Aal"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/players/110259/jerome-boateng?_ga=2.63761071.14020649.1597590508-1380536025.1596909495">Jerome Boateng</a> would probably be the happiest person after Friday’s demolition of the Catalans — he really needed a break from all those memes. In an interview given to <a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/fussball/bayern-heiss-aufs-finale-boateng-das-8-2-gibt-uns-einen-push-72415432.bild.html"><em>Bild</em></a>, the defender shared his thoughts on the game against Barça and the upcoming semi-final tie against Olympique Lyonnais. </p>
<p id="FCZz7S">With <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/?_ga=2.66539054.14020649.1597590508-1380536025.1596909495">Manchester City</a> — who was predicted by most pundits to be Bayern’s semi-final opponent — out of the competition, Hansi Flick’s boys are set to face Lyon on Wednesday. After watching the game against Barça, most people are of the opinion that beating Lyon would be a piece of cake for the Bavarians. But just like how anyone else at the club would react to the question, Boateng begs to differ. </p>
<p id="sNAqVX">He said, “Many of us watched the match together. We were all surprised by the result. But it wasn’t for nothing that Lyon knocked Juve out. They’re in the semifinals for a reason. Lyon plays in a very disciplined matter. It will be a difficult task. But in the end, we don’t care against whom we’re playing — we simply want to get to the final!”</p>
<p id="xCOSoz">Being one of the four people directly involved in two of the biggest humiliations in football history, Boateng talked about how his team had more control over the game last Friday than against <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/brazil">Brazil</a> in the 2014 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a>:</p>
<p id="QzKRZE">“In terms of their course, the games were very different. Against Brazil, we didn’t have ultra-control of the game. Now we didn’t let Barcelona breath at all, simply pressed very well. After the 7-1, we were full of self-confidence, but the World Cup final was still a very difficult game with few scoring chances. The 8-2 definitely also gives us a boost. But the next game is always the most difficult one.”</p>
<p id="AAUlUR">There is one person every single Bayern fan is most grateful for currently and that is Hansi Flick – the embodiment of sanity on the sidelines. (<em>Honestly, in a world full of Simeone and Guardiola screaming at the camera it is so refreshing to watch someone as calm as Flick!</em>)</p>
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<img alt="FC Bayern Muenchen v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_ZdnvAZMfTEtt50YrEny-RmBCEY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21762969/1264802089.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by A. Hassenstein/Getty Images for FC Bayern</cite>
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<p id="MzuTE9">We have heard several Bayern players talk about their relationship with the coach before. Here’s what Boateng had to say about his coach: “He has absolutely developed positively. I already came away with a very positive experience with him on the national team; he was an important person I could talk to there. He treats all the players the same, everyone wants to give him their trust in return. His team talks are very good. On top of that, he’s simply a great person with whom you can also talk about private things at times. He’s an absolute blessing for FC Bayern. The whole team is benefiting from Hansi Flick’s clear plan.”</p>
<p id="akjAao">The defender had gone through a lot over the past few years. When asked to comment on his journey, he said: “That’s in the past. I’m living in the here and now an dsimply want to do my part to ensure that we are successful. I never gave up or let myself down — always keep pushing, that was the most important thing. And I have the coach’s trust. I’m having fun again, getting my minutes, can show that I can help the team. I enjoy every second with Bayern at the moment. Since the coaching change, things are going better.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The type of game you won’t ever forget we need two more of those! <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBayern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChampionsLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/6idVDOU29x">pic.twitter.com/6idVDOU29x</a></p>— Jérôme Boateng (@JeromeBoateng) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeromeBoateng/status/1294625283631390726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2020</a>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/16/21370910/jerome-boateng-talks-bayern-munich-champions-league-match-against-lyon-and-the-demolition-barcelonaGopika CPB2020-08-15T20:30:00+02:002020-08-15T20:30:00+02:00“You 8-2 see it”: we made a T-shirt to celebrate #FCBFCB!
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<img alt=""You 8-2 see it!" A T-shirt to celebrate Bayern Munich's demolishing of FC Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarterfinals." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dd9d3G9wtOdu-P8SQN90QTFmvQI=/0x58:700x525/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67209041/You82Seeit_BreakingT.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“You 8-2 see it!” A T-shirt to celebrate Bayern Munich’s demolishing of FC Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarterfinals. | Breaking-T / Bavarian Football Works</figcaption>
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<p>Bayern Munich demolished FC Barcelona yesterday in a historic 8-2 victory. “You 8-2 see it” — or not!</p> <p id="IbzHvO">The unbelievable happened yesterday: <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> faced Lionel Messi’s FC <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> in the quarterfinals of the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> ... and demolished them!</p>
<p id="oCcXgX">The Internet did not disappoint with its pun game. Even Bayern Munich’s American crew got in on the fun. “You 8-2 see it!” </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You 8-2 see it. <a href="https://t.co/rwzTTk5KZL">https://t.co/rwzTTk5KZL</a></p>— FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernUS/status/1294379931326132225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2020</a>
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<p id="0T2tCs"><span>Jerome Boateng</span> did not fall down this time around. Instead, it was <span>David Alaba</span>’s turn to goof up, giving Barca a brief spell of confidence before three more goals came raining in before halftime, leaving them down 4-1.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=""You 8-2 see it!" A T-shirt to celebrate Bayern Munich's demolishing of FC Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarterfinals." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q5R8iS7nhr6aslOgd4vFkFHg5yY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21761911/You82Seeit_BreakingT_shirt.0.jpg">
<cite>Breaking-T / Bavarian Football Works</cite>
<figcaption>“You 8-2 see it!” A T-shirt to celebrate Bayern Munich’s demolishing of FC Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarterfinals.</figcaption>
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<p id="9o4Nti">The punishment continued in the second half. After Luis Suarez snatched a goal back, Bayern scored <em>another </em>four goals! The last two, ironically, were scored by Barcelona’s own record transfer, <span>Philippe Coutinho</span>, who has been on loan with Bayern this season.</p>
<p id="Z6dre8">Yeah, you just 8-2 see it, amirite?</p>
<p id="OGlEDr">So we got together with Breaking-T and came up with an idea for a shirt: “You 8-2 see it” in red and white on the beautiful Bavarian flag. And of course, the wonderful #FCBFCB hashtag completes the scene.</p>
<p id="qyxPVJ">Also: we get a small cut of any purchases through the link below!</p>
<div id="wUOaTk"><div data-anthem-component="productcard:10328756"></div></div>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/15/21370196/bayern-munich-fc-barcelona-champions-league-tshirt-you-8-2-see-it-fcbfcbJohn Dillon2020-08-15T18:00:00+02:002020-08-15T18:00:00+02:00BFW Film Room: How Thomas Muller and Co. exacted revenge on FC Barcelona
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qyY6_pPXG9YXAnD5lQ3akuwXtwk=/0x0:4666x3111/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67208621/1266334417.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by M. Donato/Getty Images for FC Bayern</figcaption>
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<p>Bayern Munich took a big step forward in their quest for treble. Here’s a tactical breakdown of Bayern’s 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona .</p> <p id="aLIzXc">In the highly anticipated <em>continental classico</em> of the UEFA <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>, <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> secured a place in the semifinals by obliterating FC <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> 8-2 in the one-off quarterfinal tie.</p>
<p id="o3Mo2N">The Bavarians went into the match with a clear plan. The players executed it to the full and massacred Barcelona, registering one of the biggest wins in the history of the competition. Bayern showed no mercy, attacking to the very last minute while keeping Luis Suarez and footballing legend Lionel Messi at bay for the majority of the match.</p>
<p id="wRSdLx">The win wasn’t just a display of the remarkable individual quality of Bayern players. It was a show of the tactical dominance of German football and an example of what Bayern can achieve under the right coach. In this film room, we’ll look at coach Hansi Flick’s master plan that made supposedly “the best club in the world” look like a Bundesliga minnow.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="LOz8gI">
<h1 id="npY64k">“Gegenpress them to death”</h1>
<p id="4FpTYb">Bayern Munich attackers and midfielders engulfed the field of play with their pressing and never let Barcelona settle with the ball. That started right at kickoff, when Bayern won the ball moments after the opening whistle.</p>
<p id="obPVwO">When Barcelona played from the back, they had no answer to Bayern’s pressing. Marc-André ter Stegen was frequently forced to play long balls over the Bayern attackers. Flick set up his team accordingly, so that the players at the back could win the second balls from the box and hit Barca on the break.</p>
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<figcaption>Ter Stegen is forced to clear the ball under pressure; Thiago wins it and initiates a quick attack.</figcaption>
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<p id="oErZKV">Bayern’s counter-pressing forced the Catalans to play erratic passes, back-passes, or simply lose the ball under pressure.</p>
<p id="61JXCp"><span>Thomas Müller</span> and <span>Robert Lewandowski</span> unleashed the “press-addict” beast from within as they simply snatched the ball from Barcelona players. Per <a href="https://fbref.com/en/matches/b76118ee/Barcelona-Bayern-Munich-August-14-2020-Champions-League">FBref</a>, FC Bayern’s resident terminator attempted 7 tackles and the Bavarian workhorse applied 34 pressures, the highest numbers on the team.</p>
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<figcaption>Ruthless Lewandowski wins the ball at the edge of the box; his shot is deflected by the hands of Ter Stegen.</figcaption>
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<p id="W25r6G">It’s no surprise that Bayern’s first two goals came as a result of their counter-pressing.</p>
<p id="sDOOR2">Müller in particular has amplified the rigorous effect of Flick’s pressing. Müller has great instincts for identifying the right player to press and charges him from good angles. In the buildup to Bayern’s first goal, it was his “steal” that resulted in Bayern’s attack on the break.</p>
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<figcaption>“Ghost” Müller arrives from behind and intercepts the ball with a slide challenge; the move results in Müller scoring with his left foot.</figcaption>
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<p id="wL2c2d">In midfield, Barcelona’s so-called “anti-Bayern” plan was thrown out the window as they faced the wrath of FC Bayern Hulk: <span>Leon Goretzka</span> was one of the standout players of the game. Goretzka executed well-anticipated blocks and managed to stop Barcelona’s counter-attacks in their tracks. The box-to-box buff recorded the highest number of tackles won (2) and interceptions (4) on the team.</p>
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<figcaption>Goretzka steals the ball, intercepting a pass intended for Messi.</figcaption>
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<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="iNQCs3">
<h1 id="qccNF3">Exploiting Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses</h1>
<p id="pT39pa">Hansi Flick was well aware of the system Barcelona were going to play. He got the game plan right and set up his team perfectly to exploit the cracks in Barcelona’s defense.</p>
<p id="RTPoNS">Barcelona opted for a narrow 4-4-2 setup on defense to prevent Bayern from playing around the gaps between defenders. In response, Bayern’s fullbacks provided width and then crossed the ball into the middle where the attackers used positional play to penetrate the defense. Alternatively, Bayern’s attackers forced Barcelona’s defense to shift to one side, creating space for the fullback on the other side.</p>
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<figcaption>Müller and Lewandowski overload the left flank; this, in turn, creates space for Kimmich to move forward and pass to Lewy, who takes a shot.</figcaption>
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<p id="zoF01E">Barcelona played with four midfielders but their midfield was completely flat. The four midfielders moved in a straight line unit, leaving lots of spaces in which Müller and one of Lewandowski or Gnabry could roam between the lines.</p>
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<figcaption>Lewandowski and Müller (marked red) moving between the lines.</figcaption>
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<p id="EgI0GP">Apart from his off-the-ball work, Müller wreaked havoc on Barcelona defense with his quick link-up play and accurate split-second decision making. He made 13 passes under pressure, 5 into the penalty area and 7 (!) that resulted in a shot — all of those being team-high numbers.</p>
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<figcaption>Typical Müller play: Kimmich passes to Müller in the gap, Pique moves out to charge, Müller flicks it over to Goretzka, who drives forward and takes a shot.</figcaption>
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<p id="WMa4w4">As mentioned earlier, Bayern frequently tried to win the ball and attack on quick transitions. Müller and Lewandowski were well aware of the space that was created on the field. Whenever Bayern got the opportunity to start a counter-attack, the dynamic duo frequently exploited the gap appeared behind Barcelona’s fullbacks.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cBrA-LQINfuznNop876769GpWfc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21761668/MMokjyv.gif">
<figcaption>Rather than penetrating up the middle. Müller and Lewandowski move wide to exploit gaps behind the Barca fullbacks.</figcaption>
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<h1 id="YO8le4">High defensive line: an issue or a necessity?</h1>
<p id="bUASyN">Once again, Bayern’s high defensive line was exploited by the opposition attack, this time, consisting of Luis Suarez and Leonel Messi.</p>
<p id="e8uNLc">Suarez made runs in-behind and around the defensive line that were remarkably similar to those he made in the semi-final of 2015.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0PdsU_ofYqFO3b3GZzfYxVEZfhw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21761669/qBGO3o7.gif">
<figcaption>The importance of having a mobile center-back like Alaba: Suarez makes an in-behind run, but Alaba is able to track back and reach the ball before him.</figcaption>
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<p id="h6vBlJ">But is the high line a glaring weakness of <em>Flicki-Flacka</em>, Hansi Flick’s typical setup?</p>
<p id="s1KHEn">Not necessarily.</p>
<p id="U4MKTn">First of all, Bayern’s counter-attacking style is different from <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid’s</a>. Real Madrid opt for a classic approach, in which they launch attacks at tremendous speed after winning the ball in their half.</p>
<p id="aoEUaO">In contrast, Bayern use counter-pressing to win the ball in the attacking or midfield third and then hit the opposition in an unsettled state. For this purpose, the high line becomes a necessity to close out all the space available for opposition players on the field.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z8hV08nw7ntPrMnbsC8cyonKiMU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21761671/z8MWZxd.gif">
<figcaption>Bayern’s high line: Goretzka’s interception helps Bayern attack on a fast break.</figcaption>
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<p id="YCbO5G">Second, the high line was the reason Bayern rendered Messi ineffective for the most of the match. As the players indicated in their pre-match interviews, defending against <em>La Pulga</em> would not be the job of any one player, but of all of them.</p>
<p id="ioY4pN">Due to the relatively short distance between players, the team was able to charge in greater numbers, cutting off vertical service for Barcelona’s attackers, and then defended collectively whenever Messi received the ball. As a result, Hansi Flick’s side restricted Barcelona to a progressive ball-carrying distance of 976 yards and dispossessed Messi four times.</p>
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<figcaption>Bayern’s high line neutralizes Messi and results in Coutinho scoring. Alaba initially moves out to support, Coutinho presses Messi, Tolisso blocks the passing lane; as Messi turns, Lewandowski arrives from behind and steals the ball.</figcaption>
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<p id="lcOvAS">Flick also used offside traps and took the classic approach of instructing his players to quickly get behind the ball.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="WygYAZ">
<p id="qjlFRQ">Bayern Munich delivered one of the most dominant and terrifying performances in the history of football. Winning 8-2 in a single game, the Bayern veterans exacted revenge over their European counterparts for the semifinal defeat in 2015.</p>
<p id="O8MOwg">Once again, Bayern board’s extremely smart decision-making in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> paid off. Goretzka, who joined Bayern as free agent, completely outshone €75 mil Dutch sensation Frankie De Jong. Overall, the team delivered an exemplary performance of German footballing style, credit to their coach Hansi Flick.</p>
<p id="2aob1u">With all Spanish teams eliminated, the red team from the “farmers league” potentially faces a much stronger challenge in semifinals. However, if there’s anything we have learned from the clashes against <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> FC and Barcelona, it’s that Flick’s men will be up and ready for any challenge.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/15/21369970/bayern-munich-leo-messi-barcelona-robert-lewandowski-thomas-muller-luis-suarez-hansi-flick-analysisRaumdeuter#252020-08-15T17:00:00+02:002020-08-15T17:00:00+02:00Robert Lewandowski on the verge of scoring most competitive goals in a single season for Bayern Munich
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XMeJrSuVtasO9jHpTEfxoCNfBjQ=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67208415/1266340831.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Manu Fernandez/Pool via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lewy is only a few goals away from setting this record.</p> <p id="TlaXPq"><span>Robert Lewandowski</span> is having the season of his life in front of goal for <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a>. With his goal in Bayern’s 8-2 routing of Barcelona in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>, the Polish international has now scored a total of 54 goals across all competitions this season. His finish was a finely taken header off of a fizzed cross from Philippe Coutinho in the 82nd minute to make it 6-2 and it means that Lewandowski is on the verge of breaking a single-season scoring record of competitive goals for Bayern (<a href="https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/inhalt.champions-league-fc-bayern-robert-lewandowski-jagt-erneut-mueller-rekord.c35c3618-267b-495c-b520-21a1d11242b7.html">Az</a>).</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lewandowski gets in on the fun.<br><br>The Bayern goal-scoring machine is on the board and it's 6-2. <a href="https://t.co/kUbOMpFDXu">pic.twitter.com/kUbOMpFDXu</a></p>— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLonCBSSports/status/1294373848763310080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2020</a>
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<p id="CLxkrF">Lewandowski fell just short of the single season Bundesliga goals record for Bayern held by the great Gerd Müller. Lewandowski bagged 34 league goals this season, 6 shy of Müller’s record tally of 40. However, there’s still a scoring record that the Pole can still break this season. In the 1972/73 season for Bayern, Müller scored a total of 55 competitive goals across all competitions, just one more than Lewandowski’s current tally for the season. Of course, Bayern still has at least one more match, and potentially two, for him to equal or break the record held by Müller. </p>
<p id="4Z5zM3">In addition to his 34 goals in the Bundesliga this season, Lewandowski has scored 14 in the Champions League and 6 in the DFB-Pokal. He’s the leading goal-scorer in literally every competition Bayern’s involved in. If he winds up equaling or bettering Müller’s single season tally in the remaining match(es) for Bayern, he’ll equal or better a club record for European goals in a season. In the 1995/96 season, Jurgen Klinsmann scored 15 European goals en route to winning the UEFA Cup over Bordeaux. With two more goals, Lewandowski would break Klinsmann’s record.</p>
<p id="moXM58">Not for nothing, either, but Lewandowski also leads Bayern in the Champions League for both goals (14) and assists (5). It’s a testament to the fact that not only is he a prolific finisher, he’s also looking for his teammates in an around the opposition’s penalty box when the opportunities present themselves.</p>
<p id="wkbzhX">The man is a machine and it’s truly a shame that they will not be giving out the Ballon d’Or this season, because his name would surely be inscribed on it. </p>
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EdiMAkMP3u0YCwwe053xNxhYUug=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21761729/1266333507.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Rafael Marchante/Pool via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="JITMnI"> </p>
<p id="K2LQ8W"> </p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/15/21370043/bayern-munich-robert-lewandowski-verge-single-season-scoring-record-gerd-muller-champions-leagueTomAdams712020-08-15T15:33:04+02:002020-08-15T15:33:04+02:00Putting Bayern’s 8-2 victory into perspective: the stats
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/COfiRMbnBbAm-ESHaiR7-_plQJ0=/0x0:3943x2629/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67208215/1266342470.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Manu Fernandez/Pool via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Just how historic was Bayern’s thrashing of Barcelona? Very.</p> <p id="R6WAiX">The dirt has still not settled over the grave of FC Barcelona’s <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> season. But before we look ahead to Bayern’s opponent in the semifinal, let’s take a minute to appreciate <a href="https://www.90min.com/posts/all-the-stats-facts-bayern-8-2-win-over-barcelona">just how historic</a> this victory was.</p>
<p id="DwPF4l"><a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> became the first team in Champions League history to score 8 goals in a knockout match. In European Cup competition (the CL’s predecessor) no team had scored 8 since 1991 (Real Madrid 9-1 over <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2018/8/25/17765318/zerhacke-das-holz-the-black-forest-wacker-09-computer-generated-bundesliga-lumberjacks-holzfaller">Wacker</a> Innsbruck).</p>
<p id="UbXggz">Barcelona hadn’t been beaten by 6 goals in any competition since 1951 and hadn’t surrendered 8 goals in a match since 1946. </p>
<p id="V9M83e"><span>Thomas Muller</span> became the first player in Champions League history to score 6 career goals against Barcelona.</p>
<p id="5fTJ3S">Bayern are going to their 12th CL semi final which is now only one behind Real Madrid for the all time lead. </p>
<p id="ednoWb"><span>Robert Lewandowski</span>, in scoring in his 8th straight CL game now holds the second longest scoring streak in CL history, only three games off from Cristiano Ronaldo’s 11.</p>
<p id="6PaDIE">Speaking of Lewandowski vs Ronaldo, Lewa scored his 50th CL goal in 60 career matches. Only Ronaldo has reached the 50 goal plateau faster.</p>
<p id="2VL9th">Bayern Munich have now won 19 consecutive games in all competitions. That is a record for German top flight clubs among all competitions.</p>
<p id="2ce9Uq">Hansi Flick became the third manager to win his first six CL matches after Fabio Capello with <a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/">AC Milan</a> in 1992/93 and Luis Fernandez with Paris Saint-Germain in 1994/95. Capello would lose in the finals that year and Fernandez in the quarterfinals. No coach has scored more goals than Flick’s 26 through their first 6 matches. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/brilliant-bayern-munich-set-multiple-records-with-barcelona/1grr3rll0wet1g7tdvn06k5se#:~:text=Bayern%20Munich%20became%20the%20first,the%20Champions%20League%20semi%2Dfinal.">That record he has all to himself</a>.</p>
<p id="CU99ng">Barcelona have now lost 6 CL matches against Bayern Munich. This is two more than any other side.</p>
<p id="0RTQTa">All in all, this was not only a crushing victory for Bayern, but a historic night in Lisbon, as they advance to face either <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> or Lyon in the semifinals.</p>
<p id="wUNC0Q"></p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/15/21369751/putting-bayerns-8-2-victory-into-perspective-barcelona-uefa-champions-league-real-madrid-manchesterNoVaBurgher2020-08-15T03:00:00+02:002020-08-15T03:00:00+02:00Joshua Kimmich: “right back” to excellence for Bayern Munich against Barcelona
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<img alt="Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/84zPBtPfWxTHJpFH0u9q2VfSb1o=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67207104/1266339902.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rafael Marchante/Pool via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>While he may now be known for his prowess in the central midfield, Joshua Kimmich was a star at right-back for Bayern Munich against FC Barcelona. </p> <p id="zSKn5v">There is no question that <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a>’s <span>Joshua Kimmich</span> has evolved into one of the world’s premier central midfielders. On account of an injury to Benjamin Pavard, however, Kimmich has returned to a position where he spent years slumming — and dominating: right-back.</p>
<p id="YrcYqc">To say the results were less-than-terrific would be doing the 25-year-old a great disservice. Kimmich was nothing short of exceptional.</p>
<p id="RWrfda">FC <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> had absolutely no answer for Kimmich on the day and resulted to various forms of assault and battery to try and slow down a guy moonlighting at what now might be his <em>second-best</em> position. </p>
<p id="NNJw25">Think about that for a bit.</p>
<p id="cTwaM9">Kimmich had the twofold responsibility of thwarting the vaunted Barca attack led by players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, <span>Arturo Vidal</span>, and Frenkie De Jong while also creating offense from the flank. And Kimmich not only performed admirably in his throwback to right-back, he excelled. </p>
<div id="5BFL7M">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kimmich. What a monster. 7 key passes, a goal and an assist from a position he has played twice now this year. <a href="https://t.co/wdbNbj9L1a">pic.twitter.com/wdbNbj9L1a</a></p>— John Dillon @ BFW (@johnndillon) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnndillon/status/1294400397365387269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2020</a>
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<p id="PzAgiF">With a goal and an assist, Kimmich was an absolute force offensively. After his helper on <span>Thomas Müller’s</span> second goal extended Bayern Munich’s lead to 4-1, Kimmich was just biding his time until he went for a goal of his own.</p>
<p id="upcDWI">In the 63rd minute Kimmich saw <span>Alphonso Davies</span> about to scorch Nelson Semedo (cause of death — “.Gifstration”), crashed right down the middle of the box, and slid a shot by Marc-André ter Stegen for Bayern Munich’s first goal of the second half and a dominant 5-1 lead. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brilliance from start to finish.<br><br>Alphonso Davies ➡️ Joshua Kimmich and Bayern Munich restore their three-goal lead. <a href="https://t.co/T73VUxWiD4">pic.twitter.com/T73VUxWiD4</a></p>— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLonCBSSports/status/1294369025892507654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2020</a>
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<p id="x2GCEp"><em>This play was so good, our own Tom Adams gave it its own post:</em></p>
<aside id="SfZSnn"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Watch Alphonso Davies destroy Barcelona (Updated with longer clip)","url":"https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/14/21369418/bayern-munich-alphonso-davies-run-goal-joshua-kimmich-barcelona-uefa-champions-league"}]}'></div></aside><p id="JMzqHC">Any hope that Barcelona had of clawing its way back into the game was swiftly and effectively ended by Kimmich’s timely run into the box.</p>
<p id="6xBqN2">It was not just Kimmich’s offensive prowess that made him so valuable on the day. Kimmich was arguably Bayern Munich’s best defensive player in the game. While Davies, <span>David Alaba</span>, and <span>Jerome Boateng</span> all struggled at times with consistency during the contest, Kimmich was a rock for the entirety of the game.</p>
<p id="Wiqbff">Kimmich’s return to right-back might only end up being a brief cameo, but it has to make Hansi Flick feel good that should Pavard go down again, the best right-back in the world is only a whistle and point away.</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2020/8/15/21369630/bayern-munich-joshua-kimmich-benjamin-pavard-fc-barcelona-leo-messi-hansi-flick-alphonso-daviesCSmith1919