A report analysing the strengths and weaknesses of FC Bayern Munich ahead of the UEFA Champions League last 16 1st leg tie against Arsenal in the 2012/13. Produced for the 'Performance Analysis' module of the MSc Performance Analysis course at Middlesex.

1. ARSENAL
vs. BAYERN MUNICH
Opposition Analysis
UEFA Champions League
Round of 16, 1st Leg
Emirates Stadium
Feb 19th 2013

2. CONTENT
1.
INTRODUCTION TO BAYERN
2.
BAYERN STRENGTHS
3.
BAYERN WEAKNESSES
4.
MATCH TACTICS TO USE

3. INTRODUCTION TO BAYERN
-
Germany’s most successful club.
-
Only club to win Champions League
three consecutive times. Winners in
1974, ‘75, ’76, ‘01.
-
Have 55/69 points in current season, in
both Bundesliga and UCL.
-
Had a disappointing 2011/12 with
defeats in home Champions League
final, cup final, and finishing 2nd in
league.
As of 24th Jan 2013

4. BAYERN 2012/13
-
Emphasis on possession - attacking
football, controlled in opposition’s half.
-
Use of ‘inside out’ wide players and
wingbacks.
-
Short passes and through balls.
-
Effective counter attacking.
-
Great squad depth, both young and
experienced quality players able to rotate.
-
Strong German base; 6/11 first choice
starting XI.

5. EXPECTED STARTING XI
28
4
7
39
8
1
9
5
31
21
25

6. BAYERN STRENGTHS
1.
Crossing
2.
Attacking through the centre
3.
Counter attacks

7. DISTRIBUTION OF GOALS SCORED
Goals from crosses include
free kicks and corners
Goals from the central
attacks include those that
lead to direct free kick and
penalty awards
Kroos in particular enjoys
lurking centrally for shooting
opportunities.
Individually crafted goals
have been scored in penalty
area after tight marking.
As of 24th Jan 2013

8. TIMING OF
GOALS
SCORED
and end
of 2nd half.
Most goals scored
in first 15 minutes of
2nd half.
Equally high
percentage of goals
scored towards end
of 1st half.
As of 24th Jan 2013

9. BAYERN WEAKNESSES
1.
Defending central zone
2.
Defending in penalty area
3.
Defending from aerial balls

10. DISTRIBUTION OF GOALS CONCEDED
Only 14 goals conceded
in Champions League
and Bundesliga.
50% of goals
conceded
in Champions
League.
Aerial balls could be
rewarding way of forcing
mistakes in the penalty area.
Equally susceptible to long
shots, counter attacks, and
central attacks.
As of 24th Jan 2013

11. TIMING OF
GOALS
CONCEDED
No goals
conceded
in first 15 minutes.
3 goals
conceded in
both middle
period of 1st half
and first 15
minutes of 2nd half
Majority of goals
scored in last 15
minutes.
As of 24th Jan 2013

12. SUMMARY
Strengths
-
Will cross the ball a lot.
-
Wingers will come inside.
-
Long shots.
-
Counter attacks.
-
Front players capable of
individual skill in tight
situations.

13. SUMMARY
Weaknesses
-
Slow to close down players.
-
Ineffective marking from
aerial balls.
-
Poor 1v1 tackling.
-
Will get caught ball watching.
-
Open to counter attacks.

14. MATCH TACTICS TO USE
Attacking
-
Put aerial balls into the box.
-
Use diagonal balls into space behind
wingbacks on counter attacks.
-
Make regular penalty box entries.
-
Keep a quick tempo.
-
Take long shots.

15. MATCH TACTICS TO USE
Defending
- Keep close and deny central
midfielders time and space.
- Press wingers early and show them
wide.
- Defend high to stop defence
playing out from the back.
- Use cover system rather than man
mark for front three due to fluid
movement.

16. SOURCES
Data
Skysport.de
Video
Skysport.de
Squawka.com
UEFA.com
Uksoccerway.com
Whoscored.com
Music
tracks taken from
Flying Lotus –
Until the Quiet Comes