Following their cup victory in Osnabrück, FC Bayern faces another tough away match right away. On Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., the German record champions will visit newly promoted Schalke 04. In the sold-out Veltins-Arena, the Munich team can expect a special atmosphere—and an opponent looking to cause problems with simple but effective tactics.
Even though the circumstances are different, the match certainly bears some similarities to the cup game in Osnabrück. VfL relied on compact defense, intense tackles, and quick transitions. Schalke is likely to adopt a similar approach.
It’s obvious that the Royal Blues won’t be able to match Bayern’s individual quality over 90 minutes through their own play. This makes the classic fundamentals all the more important for the newly promoted team: toughness in tackles, willingness to run, defensive discipline, and quick transitions after winning the ball.
This is precisely where the greatest danger lies for Vincent Kompany’s team.
Schalke aims to rattle Bayern with physical play
Things are likely to get particularly intense in the midfield. Schalke will try to repeatedly disrupt Munich’s flow of play through aggressive tackling and give Bayern as little space as possible between the lines.
Coach Miron Muslic made no secret of the fact ahead of the match that his team is going into the clash with confidence, despite the clear division of roles. “We’re taking on this challenge; we have to face every team. Bayern is absolutely dominant against any opponent and plays with a hunger to win. We’re really looking forward to this game,” the Schalke coach explained at the press conference.
It will be crucial for Bayern to match that initial intensity. If Schalke wins key battles early on and can further rally its own fans, a momentum could develop that plays into the underdog’s hands.
The Munich team must therefore be physically present themselves while simultaneously maintaining control of the match. The central midfield, in particular, will play a key role in this.
But the work of the attacking wingers will also be important. Luis Diaz, for example, brings more than just attacking qualities to the game. His work off the ball and his support for the defense can be particularly valuable in an away game like this.
Bayern must combine pace and control
However, mere possession won’t be enough for the record champions. Schalke is likely to sit deep for extended periods and try to keep the spaces in the center as tight as possible. If Munich’s play becomes too slow and predictable, it will make the Royal Blues’ defensive work easier.
Bayern must therefore repeatedly pick up the pace, stretch Schalke’s defensive structure with quick combinations, and immediately counter-press after losing possession. If they succeed, the promoted team could face major difficulties in creating any relief at all.
Another danger lies in set pieces and high balls. Schalke has several players who are strong in the air. This is especially true of Edin Dzeko, should the former Bundesliga top scorer see action. Bayern must therefore prevent crosses and set-piece opportunities as early as possible.
On paper, the roles are clear-cut. But the match in Osnabrück, in particular, demonstrated once again what tactics a clear underdog can employ against Bayern.
If the record champions match Schalke’s intensity, control the midfield, and bring enough pace to their own possession play, the odds are heavily in their favor for another victory. If, on the other hand, Kompany’s team gets drawn into an open and emotionally charged back-and-forth, things could get significantly more uncomfortable at the Veltins-Arena.