Guardiola vs Tuchel tactical mind games will be key if Man City are to beat Bayern Munich in epic Champions League clash

goes for the art of surprise by changing Bayern’s shape to a more conservative back three formation but it’s unlikely.

As a result, we can expect the visitors to line up in a 4-3-3 in possession and a 4-2-3-1 while defending.

Bayern’s aggressive defending versus City’s build-up

One of the most interesting battles to watch out for is how Man City fare when building out from the back against Bayern’s aggressive press.

While it’s still early days into his tenure at the Allianz Arena, Tuchel’s set-up when defending higher up the pitch was very obvious.

As aforementioned, the German wants Bayern to defend in a 4-2-3-1 but when pressing in the final third, the shape is altered depending on the opposition.

For example, Borussia Dortmund used Emre Can as a lone No6 during their build-up play but often Jude Bellingham would drop next to the former Liverpool man.

When this happened, Goretzka would step up next to Muller to ensure that he wasn’t being outnumbered 2v1 by Can and Bellingham.

Because of this, Bayern’s defensive shape changed from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-1-4-1.

Tuchel wants to protect the centre of the pitch and force their opponents to play to the wide areas rather than through the middle.

This is because it is much easier to defend on the flanks than in the central areas since the attacking side will have fewer passing angles due to the limitations of the sidelines.

To initiate this, centre-forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting pressures one centre-back at an angle, cutting off the passing lane to the other central defender.

The ball-carrier is then forced to play it out to his fullback. From there, Bayern go man-for-man on the flanks, or to use the old-school Sunday league term, Bayern ‘lock on’.

When these situations arise, Tuchel wants his players to be tenacious and aggressive to win the ball back.

However, facing Manchester City will be a much tougher task for the Bundesliga champions as Pep Guardiola’s team are the kings of building out from the back.

City are pressed high in almost every game and so Bayern’s plan will be like water off a duck’s back to them.

Pep’s players are more than comfortable playing under pressure and in tight spaces against similar pressing schemes.

In fact, in City’s recent 4-1 victory over Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s side pressed in the same manner as Bayern are expected to this Tuesday.

Liverpool’s backline were constantly exposed once the press was beaten and so the build-up versus high press battle could be the key throughout both legs of this colossal European tie.

Risky fullbacks

Another noticeable tactical tweak made by Tuchel in his first few games in charge of Bayern is how aggressive the fullbacks are against the opposition’s winger.

Tuchel is keen for his side to press all over the pitch, not just in the final third.

This also means that the fullbacks have to follow the opposition’s winger into deeper areas should they drop to look for the ball.

Against Dortmund in Der Klassiker, this was particularly evident as Julian Brandt was always looking to come short to receive the ball from deep, hoping to turn and drive forward with it.

However, Alphonso Davies kept up and would follow him very deep, even if there was no defensive cover down that flank.

Unfortunately, there is a downside to this.

As the fullback is stepping out from the back, there is space left to be exploited behind him.

Dortmund didn’t use this open channel enough to attack into, but Pep is wise.

A similar scenario will likely play out as City’s wingers are notorious for coming short to look for passes from the midfield rather than running in behind.

When this occurs, the hosts can use the runs of the nearest central midfielders to move into the channel to receive.

To combat this, Bayern’s closest centre-back will come across to defend the channel but there will be one less man defending the box as a result.

City have always performed these underlapping central midfielder runs since Pep has been at the helm and are deadly from these situations. 

When analysing Bayern’s set-up under Tuchel, Guardiola will know that this is perhaps the best way for the English champions to break down their European opponents over these two enticing legs.

So what does this all mean?

The two matches will undoubtedly be evenly matched in terms of personnel on the pitch as well as guidance from the touchline.

Guardiola and Tuchel have met just once in European competition and the latter gained the upper hand.

The City boss will be out for revenge, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

While two incredible teams take centre stage, the tactical between two rival managers will be a sight to behold under the floodlights at the Etihad.