Three tactical changes Bayern Munich need to make to beat Inter Milan | OneFootball

Being one goal down after the first leg with the second leg away from home at the San Siro, it is no simple task for Bayern Munich to mount a comeback in the Champions League quarterfinals. It is not easy, but never impossible, for a team with a long history of overcoming deficits like Bayern Munich. There is enough firepower in Kompany's possession to pull out a win, but decisive tactical changes are needed. Here are three adjustments that could make a difference for Bayern against Inter Milan.

Man-on-man dilemma

Man-on-man press has been a staple of Komapny's defensive tactics. Each player on the pitch only has one responsibility. The striker and wingers will try to put pressure on the opponent's goalkeeper and center-backs while fullbacks cover the flanks. By tightly man-marking each player and disrupting short distribution, the opponents are forced to kick it long. This method of pressing has caused plenty of trouble for big teams like Bayer Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain. However, it seems like Inter have nullified it in the first leg and found their way out of trouble quite easily.

Inter operate in a 3-5-2 formation with two wingbacks. Unlike the typical three-at-the-back formations, which highlight structured defensive shape, Simone Inzaghi's tactic emphasizes the dynamism and fluidity between players. In the build-up phase, Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella frequently drop deeper to provide extra passing options and drag a player away from midfield. At the same time, the wide center-backs Alessandro Bastoni and Benjamin Pavard occupy the vacated space in the midfield. In the attack, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram also drop into the midfield to attract Bayern's center-backs, resulting in plenty of space behind for wingbacks to explore. The two goals Bayern conceded in the first leg were prime examples of how Inter managed to manipulate the rigid high-line pressing in Kompany's tactic to allow Carlos Augusto to run freely. The constant shift and quick passing vertically between Inter players caused confusion for Bayern players.

If Bayern still wants to stay true to their identity with the man-on-man press, they need to be careful not to overcommit and leave a giant hole behind the defensive line, especially the fullbacks. Personnel-wise, Eric Dier's pace and bad positioning make him vulnerable to Inter's rapid counters if Bayern continue to press high up the pitch. Josip Stanisic, who possesses better recovery speed, would be a more suitable partner for Kim Min-jae.