Three observations of Bayern Munich’s 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal final

Hansi Flick’s pressing system shows its limits

Bayern Munich fans know what to expect from Hansi Flick right now, and maybe that’s not so good. Deployed in the usual 4-2-3-1 with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in the pivot, the Bavarians started the game in the usual way, dominating possession and ruthlessly retrieving the ball when dispossessed.

This tactic had Bayer Leverkusen on the ropes, but only for about sixty minutes. At halftime Peter Bosz made some key adjustments in his attack and in midfield, bringing in Kevin Volland and Kerem Demirbay. The Leverkusen team that pitched the field in the second half was, in a tactical sense, a different beast.

Rather than trying to go through the Bayern press, Bosz had his men send every second ball long before Bayern midfield could get it back. The long balls pointed to the space between Jerome Boateng and David Alaba, as well as the space behind Benjamin Pavard, allowing Volland, Kai Havertz and Moussa Diaby to finally take advantage of their pace. This caused Bayern a not a small amount of trouble, as overly committed pressure from midfield gave Leverkusen players big gaps to explode. The momentum of the game changed radically in Bayer’s favor in the second half.

With Bayern reeling from long balls and rhythm, the only reason Leverkusen failed to deliver the knockout shot was his own poor finish. They certainly had the opportunity to score three or four goals. This should serve as a warning to the team: In the Champions League, players like Leo Messi and Sergio Agüero are unlikely to miss out on those opportunities. Hopefully the team will work on their defense during the long break ahead before European football returns.

Is the arrival of Leroy Sané already having an impact?

Three wingers came onto the field for Bayern today, and all three had good games. Is this the Leroy Sané effect in action? Has the glove been thrown away?

Photo by John MacDougall / Pool via Getty Images

Serge Gnabry scored his first goal in a long time and was generally very involved in interaction and accumulation. Despite being Bayern’s second-best scorer and assistive provider this season, the 24-year-old has been criticized for inconsistent and often lifeless performances since the coronavirus ruptured. Today, he showed what he can really do when he’s in shape: Leverkusen was fit to try to contain him.

Kingsley Coman also had a great game. Despite failing to score a scoring point, the Frenchman was involved throughout the field and worked especially hard to help Alphonso Davies on defense. As the Canadian faced Moussa Diaby’s defense, equally swift, Coman’s support allowed Bayern to remain stable on the flanks for most of the game.

Ivan Perisic, meanwhile, came on as a substitute and showed his courage to the curious Bayern with a couple of key passes and an assist to Robert Lewandowski. The Croatian winger is struggling to keep his place on the list as Bayern debates whether to make his loan permanent; Actions like this can only help your case.

If Sané was watching this game, he probably realizes that he will not enter Bayern’s starting XI without opposition. Coman and Gnabry have the talent to get him out of the lineup, and even Perisic can jump into action. Sané better bring his game to the next season, or he’ll be on the bench.

Joshua Kimmich completes his midfield evolution

When Joshua Kimmich was transferred to midfield earlier this season, I was one of those people who vocally opposed the decision. Here was a world-class right back who was moving to a position where Bayern was already full of talent and featured performances that really didn’t warrant the interruption the move caused.

Now, however, Kimmich has improved his game so far since those opening matches, he is almost unrecognizable. The 25-year-old has endorsed the position, showing insight, passing, and pressing defense tenacity only comparable to Marco Verratti of PSG.

In short, Kimmich has grown. He is not an immovable wall like Javi Martínez, nor is he an immaculate driver like Xabi Alonso. But what he brings to Bayern Munich is invaluable for the current iteration of the system, and he is likely to put his authority in the center of the field for a long time.