How Jupp Heyneckes lifted Bayern Munich out of their early season stupor

#4 Tactical nous

Heyneckes has leveraged the tactical intelligence Bayern players developed under Guardiola

Bayern players were exposed to cutting-edge position play and tactical ideas under Guardiola. Though they complained about the intensity, they had grown to love it – so much so, in fact, that the players took it upon themselves to include a high tempo rondo (a piggy-in-the-middle one-touch game) in their prematch training even after Guardiola’s departure.

Ancelotti’s rigid 4-3-3 in the face of both success and failure was destined to be short-lived. It relied excessively on the individual brilliance of Thiago Alcantara and Robert Lewandowski – and was unable to find answers when the individuals had an off-day or were stymied.

Heyneckes, during his time out, seems to have widened his horizon for more schemes and shapes. Bayern have lined up in 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 systems; and the wide array of tactical options available from the personnel have been effectively put to use.