I think that writeup kind of alludes to it. However, Bayern is going to have a hard time in the Bundesliga this year without a DM. Most Bundi teams play a 4-2-3-1 which means most are pretty adept at counter attacking. The 4-1-4-1 without a ball winner is going to be very susceptible to the counter.

quote:
I noticed Thiago was the deepest midfielder, and while not unusual for a passer of his mold, Muller and Kroos aren't exactly great protection.

Hopefully that's the last time we see that. Thiago has great passing range but his positioning is nowhere near good enough yet to be the deepest man in the midfield, especially if the other two guys aren't providing much cover.

quote:
Busquets is an amazing player in this regard, as he has amazing technique for a player over 6 foot, thus he can foul tactically and he can recycle attacks.

Busquets is the guy who makes Barca work, IMO. I think Bayern has a guy like that in Javi, I still don't know if we're playing him at DM or CB. I hope it's DM.

I think the best XI Bayern can put out with a 4-1-4-1 is:

---------------------------- Neuer --------------------------------

Lahm ------------ Dante -------- Boateng ---------------- Alaba

--------------------------- Javi ---------------------------------------

Robben -------- Schweiny ---- Thiago/Kroos/Gotze ------- Ribery

--------------------------- Muller ------------------------------------

Tweezy and I have talked about this some. We agree that Mandzukic is not the striker you want if you expect him to drift wide to allow Ribery space in the middle. I think Muller would be perfect for that.

Schweinsteiger has a natural inclination to drop back anyway, so he'd provide passing support for Martinez and Thiago has shown that he's willing to receive the ball deep, so it would look a lot like a double pivot with the other pushing forward.

I also think Gotze can play either wing and as a striker so I'm ready to see him on the field.

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Posted by crazy4lsu

Member since May 2005

36341 posts

Posted on 7/29/13 at 11:46 pm to hendersonshands

I forgot about Javi. He's the closest player to Busquets. He might even be better than him. It's insane when you have players of that size and technical ability. Gustavo is no slouch in that regard either, but I think he may be 'Yaya Toure'd' by Guardiola.

In some ways I think the 4-1-4-1 is the perfect counter to the 4-2-3-1, with the triangle inverted. It might be more difficult for the latter as both of the deepest midfielders in the double pivot face forward midfielders, losing the spare man advantage.

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