Posted on 04-06-2009 under Previews

Apologies for the delay folks; sometimes life can get in the way of even something as titanic as the Barca-Bayern matchup. And I’d also like to use this space to give a big FUCK YOU to ESPN for only showing this game on ESPN Deportes. ESPN is a terrible steward for football in this country, and whoever decided to not show the Barca-Bayern game on any of the English speaking networks made a horrible error in judgement and is holding football fans in this country hostage. Seriously, fuck yourself Bristol.


Anyway, today we’re talking strategy.


How Bayern can win:


Defensively, Bayern Munich should do all they can to force Leo Messi and Theirry Henry wide into the corners and wings. Obviously other teams try this and Messi and Henry dribble and pass their way out, but Bayern might have the quality to do this successfully if they have the commitment. This will helps central defenders Lúcio and Martin Demichelis play to their strengths as zone defenders by muscling attackers out of dangerous positions in the box and winning crosses in the air.


It would be extremely interesting if Jürgen Klinsmann decide to have his wing midfielders Franck Ribéry and Bastian Schweinsteiger switch sides. Doing so would allow Ribéry to work against Éric Abidal and Rafa Marquez, who are both decidedly slower and less-skilled than the defenders on the opposite side, Dani Alves and Carles Puyol. Franck would have fewer defensive responsibilities since the threat of attack from that side of Barca’s defense isn’t as strong.


In a similar vein Klinnsman may want to flip his central midfielders so that Mark Van Bommel, Bayern’s captain—who will most likely have a defensive assignment in this tie—lines up opposite Xavi so the München man can keep a closer eye on his former teammate.


Also, if Luca Toni isn’t full strength, Bayern may want to consider lining up with a 4-5-1 formation, perhaps adding a midfielder like Tim Borowski or even central defender Daniel Van Buyten playing slightly ahead of the defense as a very conservative holding midfielder. Doing so would congest the middle of the field on the defensive end and could frustrate the Barca attack. While Lukas Podolski wouldn’t be the ideal lone striker up top, Luca Toni could very well be, if healthy. if Bayern were able to attack by throwing some midfielders forward to try to produce chances it could make up for this.


As stated previously, manager Klinsmann isn’t much of a tinkerer, so I wouldn’t expect anything drastic provided everyone is fit. But a switch of Ribéry and Schweinsteiger may be the kind of button that he could push and receive a payoff.


How Barca can win:


For Barcelona’s defending, the key will be to try to win back possession in Bayern’s half or in the midfield. If they can continue to have success at this as they have throughout the season, they should be able to keep a lot of pressure on the Bayern defenders and force an error with this type of scrutiny. If they can shift some of the responsibility of defense from the defenders to the midfielders and even attackers tracking back, Barcelona will have more opportunities to force its will on Bayern and play their own style. Also, though I counted on Rafa Marquez starting for the Catalans, Pep Guardiola may want to start Gerard Piqué, who has been in sensational for the Spanish national team in their recent contests.


In the midfield, Barca will want to ensure that it controls possession and be sure to neutralize Bayern’s ageless Ze Roberto and the winger Schweinsteiger. Franck Ribéry will have his success against Barca, but they should be willing to except strong play from Ribéry provided they aren’t letting Bayern’s peripheral midfielders have too much influence. In that vein Barca make want to have central midfielder Yaya Touré challenge Mark Van Bommel on the offensive end, as MVB will have his hands full with Xavi and Ze Roberto may not have the defensive chops to take on the stronger Yaya.


In the attack Barca will want to try to give Eto’o, Henry, and Messi the ball on timing runs so they can take advantage of Bayern’s center backs, who can be shaky when the ball is played into space. If they start getting service behind the Bayern defensive line, they can get great chances on the run. If Barcelona can find a way to beat the offside trap and receive the ball behind open space, it could be goals galore for the Catalans.


Don’t worry folks, tomorrow the Tigerblog will be bringing the noise with the preview, coming to you live from Avon, NC.