Match date: 25 November 2014

Bayern Munich have already qualified for the knockout stages while Manchester City had just two points coming into the match, but still had a decent chance of qualifying for the next round.

With Yaya Toure and Fernandinho both suspended, Manuel Pellegrini opted for a midfield three of Fernando, Milner, and Lampard in a 4-2-3-1, with Mangala partnering Kompany at the back.

Despite already qualifying, Pep Guardiola named a very strong starting XI for Bayern Munich, with only Rode and Højbjerg not usual starters. In the 1-0 win against Manchester City in Munich, Pep opted to start the match in a 3-4-1-2, but for this match he reverted to a 4-3-3.

Pre Red Card

Bayern started the match incredibly well and it looked as though they would be able to dominate much of the match and leave Manchester with three more points and put Manchester City in a difficult position to qualify. In the first minute, Bayern’s pressing was immediately effective as they almost caught Mangala with Robben, who drifted centrally a lot during this phase of the match to give Bayern Munich numbers up in central midfield, and Lewandowski putting the City centre back under enormous pressure. Immediately after, Manchester City had a good break through Jesus Navas, but Bayern were able to quickly get numbers behind the ball, close out the ball carrier, and win the ball back, which they did extremely well for much of the match.

Bayern Munich controlled the ball for most of the opening stage of the match and built out of the back well. Manchester City attempted to press, but it was disconnected and, despite putting some fair pressure on the ball carrier, they failed to close down passing lanes in the first quarter of the match. Below is a perfect example of this. Aguero and Lampard put some pressure on Boateng, but the centre back is composed and the passing lane to Xabi Alonso is clear and the Spaniard is receiving limited pressure from Milner. Upon receiving the ball, Milner actually dropped off more and allowed Alonso to lay the ball off to Benatia.

So rather than press, Manchester City were willing to allow Bayern Munich to have the ball and when the German side had the ball in the final third, Manchester City sat in a low block with little space between the back line and midfield, which made them incredibly hard to break down, with Rode getting the best chance early on.

Sitting so deep, however, isolated Aguero and allowed Xabi Alonso, Boateng, and Benatia to win any loose balls from tackles and Manchester City clearances, which allowed the German side to continue their attack quickly. It was comfortable for Bayern Munich and it seemed like just a matter of how soon they’d be able to get a first goal which would force Manchester City to attack and leave them more open at the back.

When Manchester City did win the ball, and had some time to find a pass, they looked to play a long ball into space for Aguero to run onto, which was effective considering how high of a line Boateng and Benatia were holding as they tried to squeeze the game into Manchester City’s half. It was this space behind the line, however, that was really the only worry for Bayern Munich, despite Neuer’s excellent sweeping abilities. As you can see above, Aguero received the ball just five times in the opening 20 minutes, but he also beat Benatia into the box and the Moroccan brought the Argentine down for a red card and a penalty to put Manchester City up 1-0.

Post Red Card, Ribery

Following the red card, Guardiola took of Rode and brought on Dante to make sure Bayern maintained two centre backs in what was a 4-2-3ish shape. Being a man down did not stop Bayern Munich from looking to play out of the back and with confidence from their goal, Manchester City’s pressing had much more intent about it as they looked to cut off the passing lanes and were technically numbers up in midfield. Bayern, however, were still able to play out of the back, although it was not as quick or as comfortable as it had been in the opening stages of the match. Milner and Lampard were able to put Alonso and Højbjerg under a good amount of pressure and Bayern were forced to play back to Neuer much more frequently to retain possession.

To counter this, Ribery began dropping very deep and central to offer as an option for his centre backs. He would typically start from the left and work his way in and Sagna wouldn’t follow him and Fernando always seemed a step behind to pick up the Frenchman while Milner and Lampard were very high up the pitch because of the deep positions that Højbjerg and Alonso were taking up. A good example below.

Ribery’s work rate and positioning allowed Bayern to get back in control of the game and the Manchester City man advantage became less evident as Bayern established themselves in Manchester City’s defensive third. It was Ribery’s pass to Lewandowski that saw the Polish international get fouled by Mangala, one of several fouls by the centre back on the striker. Alonso cleverly convert the free kick bringing Bayern level.

Bayern’s control of the first half and for much of the second was epitomised by their second goal as Boateng received a cross field ball from Ribery in yards of space only to then deliver an unchallenged cross into Lewandowski, who directed the ball into Joe Hart’s net between Kompany and Sagna.

As the second half continued, Manchester City were able to get on the ball for large portions of play as Bayern sat a bit deeper and showed signs of fatigue after playing much of the match with 10 men. The game remained relatively under control for Bayern, but City were certainly able to get forward more often.

How Bayern Lost

It took two uncharacteristic mistakes and two composed finishes by Aguero to give Manchester City the three points. The first mistake came from Alonso, who had his pass cut off by Jovetic. The Montenegrin was an important substitution by Pellegrini that caused Bayern more problems than Lampard had in the role behind the striker. Jovetic brought more energy between the lines, which made it harder for him to be marked by Alonso than Lampard had been. He was also able to receive the ball on the turn and dribble at the Bayern back four better than Lampard had, who’s dropping deep into midfield meant that he didn’t really cause many problems further up field.

The second mistake came about because of a Jovetic flick (which you can see above, also notice the space between the lines) into the path of Boateng, who played very well up until this point in the match. The Bayern centre back tried to control the ball and then pass to Dante, allowing Aguero to get a tackle in, take two touches, and then slid the ball beyond Neuer.

It was Pep’s first substitution that allowed Manchester City back in the game, however. Ribery had an excellent match. His movement and work rate were key for Bayern to control the match. He was brought off for Schweinsteiger in the 81st minute and this is when Bayern began losing control of the match. Schweinsteiger’s first pass was forced and misplaced, summing up his performance rather well.

Conclusion

An excellent tactical battle between Guardiola and Pellegrini. Bayern Munich opened the match with intent and it seemed that they would go onto win it prior to the red card. At 1-0 down, they were able to regain control of the match, score two goals before halftime, and control large portions of the second half as well.

Manchester City are lucky that Bayern Munich’s two defensive errors fell to one of the best strikers in the world. Aguero was incredibly composed in all three of this finishes and with them gives Manchester City greater odds of qualifying for the group stages.