Bavarian Football Works - Matchday 9: Bayern Munich vs. MainzManufacturing goals in the German tradition, for domestic consumption and for export.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47275/bavarian-fave.png2013-10-21T07:00:01+02:00http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/rss/stream/46231612013-10-21T07:00:01+02:002013-10-21T07:00:01+02:00Mario Götze and the importance of the false 10
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<figcaption>Lennart Preiss</figcaption>
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<p>Bayern Munich works best with its false 10. And Mario Götze is one of the best.</p> <p>On Saturday, we bore witness to some of the limitations of Pep's 4-1-4-1 when up against a strong compact defense like that which Mainz rolled out during Bayern's 4-1 win at the Allianz Arena. For the first 45 minutes, this team was very lost and very ineffective. The normally strong possession based game through the center of the pitch was stifled by spatial restrictions and the superior defensive numbers of the Mainz defense. While Bayern has struggled at times this season to breakdown compact defenses nothing has been as dramatic as it was on Saturday.</p>
<p>The two major takeaways from that half of play were:</p>
<ol>
<li><span>The importance of attacking fullbacks for Bayern Munich</span></li>
<li><span>The importance of wing based play</span></li>
</ol>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span>The Problems of the First 45</span></h4>
<p><span>The fullbacks for the first 45 minutes, Rafinha and <span>Diego Contento</span>, were basically non-existent in the entire attack. While you could make a case that their lack of attacking was good from a defensive perspective, it more likely cost this team attacking impetus and allowed to generate more dangerous counterattacks then they otherwise would have.</span></p>
<p><span>The first half showed one the most striking differences between how <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich's</a> possession based attack and Barcelona's possession based attack function on the field. While Barcelona has built a dynasty on fast small interchanges and moving and exploiting small spaces found between compact defensive lines, Bayern has built its foundation of success on generating large acres of space which the teams exploits mercilessly. The importance of generating large amounts of space is fundamentally linked into wing play and stretching the field. The ability to isolate defenders one-on-one, neutralize or weaken defensive cover, or just plain force disadvantageous double teams from opposing defenses are all at the heart of generating large spaces. The system fails without aggressive wing play. On Saturday, that wing play was absent for the first 45 minutes apart from being a conduit for pumping crosses into the box. </span></p>
<p>The main ineffectiveness came from the lack of impetus from the attacking fullbacks. Without support from Contento and Rafinha, Müller and Robben were often isolated alone on the wings with often the singular option of playing the ball into the central midfield when presented with the inability to move the attack forward. This forces much of the burden on offense into the hands of the three central midfielders while also simultaneously putting them up against a structured defense without spaces in which to operate. While the Bayern midfielders are good enough to generate chances and opportunities when in this situation, it does make their job exponentially tougher simply because Kroos, Schweinsteiger and Mandzukic in the center aren't capable of doing what Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta do. The three true central midfielders and the lack of attacking fullback support were unable to breakdown the Mainz defense, and until the half, Bayern looked somewhat impotent as they pumped crosses into the box and were unable to generate the short rapid passing necessary to overload the Mainz defense in the center.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">The Halftime Adjustments</h4>
<p>Enter Mario Götze at the half for Rafinha and the switch of <span>David Alaba</span> from centerback to leftback and the return of Phillip Lahm to his world class work at right back. The shift into utilizing two more attacking fullbacks options solved the isolation problems for the two wide midfielders but it was Mario Götze who was the catalyst for the rapid and impressive turnaround from Bayern Munich immediately to start the first half as a false 10 in Bayern's midfield<span>.</span></p>
<p>The quintessential example of the false 10 is Mesut Özil. The position requires a player to move and pass along the wings, often in support or interchanging with the wide midfielders, or moving up alongside the striker as a secondary striker to interplay with and off of. In Bayern's system with inverted wingers in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110495/arjen-robben">Arjen Robben</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110243/franck-ribery">Franck Ribery</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110278/thomas-muller">Thomas Müller</a>, the role is more as a supporter and interchanger with the wings then as a secondary striker. It was the addition of this role at the start of the second half that allowed Bayern Munich to completely change the dynamic of the match against Mainz.</p>
<p width="100%" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3426879/bayern-mainz-2013-first-half-midfield.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Bayern-mainz-2013-first-half-midfield_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3426879/bayern-mainz-2013-first-half-midfield_medium.png"></a> <br id="1382326774162"></p>
<p>If we look at the passing charts from the first half, we see the isolation and lack of interchanging wing play from Bayern Munich's central midfielders. We actually even see side bias from both Schweinsteiger and Kroos. The inability to exploit and open spaces kept the entire team in fairly rigid formation which is a great way to reduce creativity and the ability to break down any defense.</p>
<p width="100%" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3426887/bayern-mainz-2013-second-half-midfield.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Bayern-mainz-2013-second-half-midfield_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3426887/bayern-mainz-2013-second-half-midfield_medium.png"></a> <br id="1382326769370"></p>
<p>In the transition to the second half, we see Mario Götze enter and actually never make a single pass from the center of the pitch. He takes over the previously absent false 10 role, supporting and working with the wide midfielders to open spaces and channels. In addition, it allowed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110271/bastian-schweinsteiger">Bastian Schweinsteiger</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110268/toni-kroos">Toni Kroos</a> more creative control and enough space to operate in the central midfield and dramatically increased their ability to influence the match. Schweinsteiger in particular became the cog of this team in a way that we haven't seen from him since last season.</p>
<p>In many ways <span>Mario Götze's</span> role on Saturday is what Pep has tried to get Thomas Müller to do all season when he has played him as a central midfielder. While it has worked to varying degrees and Müller can play the false 10 role better then most players on the planet, it definitely neuters Müller's strongest strengths - namely his off the ball movement and spatial manipulation - by forcing him into interchanges and playmaking. <span>It's definitely nice to have a true false 10 who can work and support this system when additional width is needed. It's even nicer when he drops two assists on the day as well.</span></p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/21/4856862/mario-goetze-gotze-false-10-central-winger-guardiola-4-1-4-1-bayern-munich-vs-mainz-2-assistsRyan Cowper2013-10-19T18:04:13+02:002013-10-19T18:04:13+02:00A tale of two halves: Bayern beat Mainz 4-1
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<figcaption>Lennart Preiss</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Bayern Munich struggled throughout the first half, but they kicked it into gear in the second half and breezed past Mainz.</p> <p>It wasn't the prettiest performance for the first 45 minutes from Bayern Munich, but the second 45 quieted some fears as FC Bayern roared to a ferocious comeback in a 4-1 victory over Mainz.</p>
<p>Mainz scored first, just before halftime, when Shawn Parker capitalized on a defensive miscue at the back. Jerome Boateng misread a ball over the top, and was burned for the deficit. Just as Bayern thought they were going to escape that ugly half, including an injury to Dante, Parker made it 1-0.</p>
<p>Pep Guardiola brought on Mario Götze at the half, and the midfielder went to work. Five minutes after the restart, it was Götze who played Arjen Robben in behind the Mainz defense with a nice through-ball, and the Dutchman beat Christian Wetklo to draw level. Two minutes later, Bayern took the lead. Robben and Götze combined again to beat the Mainz defense, but this time it was Thomas Müller that buried the goal to make it 2-1.</p>
<p>Mario Mandzukic made it 3-1 in the 69th minute with a tidy finish after Götze had his way with the Mainz defense once again. Bayern grabbed their fourth in the 82nd minute on a penalty after Nikolce Noveski pushed Bastian Schweinsteiger in the box. Müller stepped up and easily dispatched the penalty to give Bayern the commanding lead and impressive result to cap off the day.</p>
<p>Combining this result with Borussia Dortmund's victory over Hannover on the day and Bayer Leverkusen's victory over Hoffenheim yesterday means that Bayern are still top of the table over both sides by just one point. However, Bayern are now level with Borussia Dortmund on goal differential.</p>
<p>The next time the Bavarians will be in action is Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League when Viktoria Plzen visit Munich.</p>
<h4>More from Bavarian Football Works:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/19/4855030/matchday-9-bayern-munich-vs-mainz-lineups-gamethread-live-update-score-news?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Matchday 9: Bayern Munich vs Mainz | Lineups and Gamethread</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/18/4851212/matchday-9-fc-bayern-munchen-vs-1-fsv-mainz-05-preview?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Matchday 9: FC Bayern München vs. 1. FSV Mainz 05 | Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/17/4849554/alessandro-schopf-bayern-munich-first-professional-contract?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bayern to offer professional contract to Alessandro Schöpf</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/17/4847042/bastian-schweinsteiger-earns-his-100th-international-cap-for-germany?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bastian Schweinsteiger earns his 100th international cap for Germany</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/16/4845694/rafinha-bayern-munich-?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">How much longer will Rafinha be with Bayern Munich?</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/19/4855470/bayern-munich-mainz-score-result-recap-a-tale-of-two-halvesPhillip Quinn2013-10-19T14:51:10+02:002013-10-19T14:51:10+02:00Bayern vs. Mainz | Gamethread
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<figcaption>Lars Baron</figcaption>
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<p>Bayern Munich host Mainz at the Allianz Arena. Joins us here for the gamethread!</p> <p><a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bayern Munich</a> and <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Mainz </a>kick off from the Allianz Arena in Munich in just under an hour's time. This will be the gamethread for all discussion of today's match. Let's get to the lineups.</p>
<h4>Bayern Munich (4-1-4-1)</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;">Neuer</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rafinha - Boateng - Dante - Contento</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Lahm</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Müller - Schweinsteiger - Kroos - Robben</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mandzukic</p>
<p><b>Substitutes:</b> Starke, Van Buyten, Pizarro, Kirchhoff, Götze, Alaba</p>
<p><span>Pep Guardiola</span> has decided to give <span>Diego Contento</span> a run out at left back in today's match. However, Rafinha is also starting at right back, so <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110262/philipp-lahm" class="sbn-auto-link">Philipp Lahm</a> moves into the defensive midfield role that he's played so excellently in recent weeks. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110243/franck-ribery" class="sbn-auto-link">Franck Ribery</a> has a minor (I stress<b> </b><i>minor</i>.) ankle injury, so he's taking the day off. I, for one, am hoping that <span>Mario Götze</span> gets an extended run out in the second half of today's match. It's going to be good to finally get him on the field with some regularity.</p>
<h4>Mainz (4-3-3)</h4>
<p style="text-align: center;">Wetklo</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Pospech - Svensson - Noveski - Diaz</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Geis - Baumgartlinger - Bell</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Parker - Müller - Choupo-Moting</p>
<p><b>Substitutes:</b> Moritz, Joo-Ho, Saller, Mathenia, Okazaki, Zimling, Fathi</p>
<p>Mainz started the season brilliantly with three wins, but they're winless in their last five picking up only one point. Things couldn't get any more difficult this week than a trip to Munich to take on the reigning, defending European and German Champions. Thankfully for Thomas Tuchel, he gets the services of Nicolai Müller on the day.</p>
<p>You can find the channel to watch today's match <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/922407/bayern-m-nchen-vs-mainz-05/">here</a>.</p>
<p>Enjoy today's match!</p>
<p>Mia san mia!</p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/19/4855030/matchday-9-bayern-munich-vs-mainz-lineups-gamethread-live-update-score-newsPhillip Quinn2013-10-18T14:00:07+02:002013-10-18T14:00:07+02:00Matchday 8: Mainz 05 vs. FC Bayern | Preview
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<figcaption>Alex Grimm</figcaption>
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<p>FC Bayern München will look to continue their unbeaten start with a home tilt against 1. FSV Mainz 05, a club looking to get back on track.</p> <p>Although both teams are going in different directions, in different spots of the table, and in different statures in Europe, they share a common goal.</p>
<p>Both are coming off draws, and both need a win for validation.</p>
<p>FC Bayern München needs validation not that they are the top team in the Bundesliga, for they are at the top of the table with six wins and two draws. They need validation that they are the <i>best</i> team in Germany, that a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen was not a pattern.</p>
<p>After a hot start, 1. FSV Mainz 05 may not need just validation that they are a mid-table side, but maybe that they belong in the Bundesliga. Their three wins to start the season are the only ones they have, and their schedule does not get much easier after FC Bayern either.</p>
<p>With players validating their countries, FC Bayern will have the opportunity to validate with a convincing win, and a loss is not something that Mainz wants to convince itself is inevitable.</p>
<h4>The Match (17th meeting)<br>
</h4>
<p>Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany</p>
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<p>Television and Streaming: Gol TV (USA), Sky Bundesliga 1 & 2 | HD, <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/922407/bayern-m-nchen-vs-mainz-05/">Other Countries</a></p>
<h4>The Fixture</h4>
<h5>Form</h5>
<p>FC Bayern: DWWWW<br>1. FSV<span class="sbn-auto-link"></span> Mainz 05: DLLLL</p>
<h5>Records</h5>
<p>Bundesliga: 9 W, 2 D, 3 L<br>DFB Pokal: 2 W, 0 L</p>
<h5>Top Scorers</h5>
<p>1. Roy Makaay, FCB – 7<br>2. <span>Claudio Pizarro</span>, FCB – 5<br>3. <span>Mario Mandžukić</span>, FCB; <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110271/bastian-schweinsteiger">Bastian Schweinsteiger</a>, FCB; Daniel van Buyten, FCB – 3</p>
<p><b>Largest Victory:</b> 4-0 (December 16, 2006)<br><b>Largest Defeat:</b> 2-3 (November 27, 2011)</p>
<h4>The Squad</h4>
<p>A draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen has FC Bayern in a bad spot; not necessarily because of the result, but because they showed that they are not invincible. A home fixture is just what they need before their Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen</p>
<p>Xherdan Shaqiri's injury has once again become more good news for Guardiola than bad news. With Mario Götze rediscovering his form, he is now the primary option off the bench, able to play in the middle or on the wing.</p>
<p>Javier Martinez and <span>Thiago Alcantara</span> are still unavailable, so the center of the park will likely feature two of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110278/thomas-muller">Thomas Müller</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110268/toni-kroos">Toni Kroos</a>, and Bastian Schweinsteiger. With a lack of depth, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110262/philipp-lahm">Philipp Lahm</a> probably will start in midfield as well, as Rafinha will make another appearance at right back.</p>
<p>Mario Mandžukić will likely also play, although Guardiola might also give Pizarro another start with the midweek match. With the long travel, Dante might sit the weekend match out, giving Daniel van Buyten a start after his performance against Wales.</p>
<h5>Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1)</h5>
<p>Mandžukić</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110243/franck-ribery">Ribéry</a> – Schweinsteiger – Kroos – <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110495/arjen-robben">Robben</a></p>
<p>Lahm</p>
<p><span>Alaba</span> – van Buyten – <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110259/jerome-boateng">Boateng</a> – Rafinha</p>
<p>Neuer</p>
<p><b>Bench:</b> <span>Starke</span>, <span>Contento</span>, Dante, <span>Kirchhoff</span>, Müller, Götze, Pizarro</p>
<h4>The Opponent</h4>
<p>A team that started very fast has hit hurdle after hurdle, and now have slumped back into mediocrity. Facing the top team in the Bundesliga does not come at a good time.</p>
<p>Shinji Okazaki's performance thus far is more of a plus for VfB Stuttgart than it is for 1. FSV, not really doing much in his two months with his new team. The mere bright spot is Nikolai Müller who is dealing with a bit of a knock with himself.</p>
<p>The revelation has been 26-year-old Nicolai Müller. Scoring goals – six goals in the Bundesliga thus far – is not the surprise, but doing so as a part-time winger is interesting. He's been playing partially on the right in a 4-5-1, with Dani Schahin and Maxim Choupo-Moting playing as the single striker when he does not. He does remain questionable with a tendon issue.</p>
<p>While the back four has stayed consistent – Joo-Ho Park, Nikolce Noveski, Bo Svensson, and Zdenek Pospěch have each appeared at least seven of the eight games – manager Thomas Tuchel might shake things up a little bit. 22-year-old Stefan Bell might make an appearance, as he's made a start in Svensson's stead before.</p>
<p>Tuchel will also have to be without Heinz Müller, who is officially ruled out with back problems. That means 33-year-old Christian Wetklo will be between the pipes, and Loris Karius will be on hand if needed.</p>
<h5></h5>
<h5>Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1)</h5>
<p>Schahin</p>
<p>Okazaki – Zimling – Choupo-Moting – N. Müller</p>
<p>Geis</p>
<p>Park – Noveski – Bell – Pospěch</p>
<p>Wetklo</p>
<p><b>Bench:</b> Karius, Svensson, Diaz, Fathi, Malli, Moritz, Polter</p>
<h4></h4>
<h4>The Outcome</h4>
<p>FC Bayern may have had two draws on the road, and has drawn at home against Mainz before. That was a scoreless draw, though and with the form of Ribéry, Robben, and Kroos, it is hard to imagine two consecutive ties. Munich has not lost a game at home since allowing Arsenal to climb back in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, and has not dropped a point at home in 2013 – Borussia Mönchengaldbach's 1-1 draw on December 14, 2012 the last draw at home. Three more points is the expectation, and anything less will be a shock.</p>
<p><b>Projected Score:</b> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">Bayern Munich</a> 3-0 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">1. FSV Mainz 05<br></a></p>
<h4>More from Bavarian Football Works:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/17/4849554/alessandro-schopf-bayern-munich-first-professional-contract?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bayern to offer professional contract to Alessandro Schöpf</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/17/4847042/bastian-schweinsteiger-earns-his-100th-international-cap-for-germany?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bastian Schweinsteiger earns his 100th international cap for Germany</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/16/4845694/rafinha-bayern-munich-?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">How much longer will Rafinha be with Bayern Munich?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/16/4845544/bayern-high-five-tuesday-october-world-cup-qualifiers-and-friendlies?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bayern High Five: Tuesday October World Cup Qualifiers and Friendlies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/15/4840970/xherdan-shaqiri-injury-worse-than-thought-muscle-tear-out-six-seven-weeks?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Xherdan Shaqiri injury worse then anticipated; out six to seven weeks</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2013/10/18/4851212/matchday-9-fc-bayern-munchen-vs-1-fsv-mainz-05-previewDavis VanOpdorp