MUNMan UnitedClub page
FCBBayernClub page
Squad value€928.8m
Squad value€1.04bn
Key playerBryan Mbeumo
Key playerMichael Olise
Head coachMichael Carrick
Head coachVincent Kompany
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Pundits are split on how hard they chase the ball: some say they hunt the ball high up the pitch, others that they wait and pick their moments.
“A 4-2-4 built on "trios," third-man runs and a high press designed to create counter-attacks.”“United have proportionately deployed a high block to a greater extent than any other Premier League team this season (42%) and this is up considerably from Carrick’s time in charge last term (26%).”“Without the ball Carrick enforced a compact mid-block and a simple 4-4-2 press.”“In fact, the three games when opposition teams have completed most passes against United have come in the last three games against Como, Atletico Madrid and Leeds. This has coincided with Carrick's attempts to be more compact and solid defensively.”When pressed, United keep passing it around at the back rather than going long.
“Rather than force long balls forward when the press arrived, United’s centre-backs and goalkeeper kept circulating possession.”They keep the ball longer than they used to and work it through the centre, with Bruno Fernandes playing just behind the striker.
“Bruno Fernandes returned to the No.10 role, full-backs became more asymmetrical, and United played with longer, more central possession sequences.”Bayern press high and man for man to pin you in your own half, then pass their way through with their stars.
“Der Ansatz unter Kompany dürfte auch in dieser Spielzeit wieder lauten: hohes, intensives Pressing mit starker Mannorientierung, um das Spiel in der gegnerischen Hälfte zu halten, kombiniert mit druckvollem Kombinationsspiel im Ballbesitz, das die individuellen Qualitäten der Offensivspieler zur Geltung bringen soll.”Kompany's approach this season should again be high, intense pressing with strong man-marking to keep the game in the opponent's half, combined with forceful combination play in possession that brings out the attackers' individual qualities. our translation
Bayern hunt the ball right up by the other team's goalkeeper, sometimes with four players on the last defender. Expect them to camp in the opposition half from the first whistle.
“Bayern pressed the Europa League winners high and sometimes pushed four attackers onto Villa’s last line.”The one way to hurt them: get past that first wave of pressure and run straight at the defence. Bayern commit so many players forward that the space behind them is enormous.
“When opponents escape the first challenge and attack the back line with runners, the enormous spaces produced by Bayern’s aggressive positioning become considerably less comfortable.”