Thread by @MT_Analysis

How Bayern Munich Bypassed Arsenal’s Press

[THREAD]

Bayern Munich kept progressing through the left-side vs Arsenal – the wide triangle consisting of Mazraoui, Musiala, and Guerreiro created problems.

Arsenal wanted to trap Bayern with their hybrid press but they could still find their free man with Neuer’s help.

In the pressing structure, Saka was often between the LCB and LB – White only pushed high (to the LB) depending on Saka’s positioning.

Bayern took advantage of Arsenal's switch.

- White pressed Mazraoui
- Jorginho backed up his press by marking Guerreiro

This left Musiala 🆓 and could combine quickly with Mazraoui.

(Saliba could be worried about Kane 1v1 Gabriel).

[@Effmatch]

Jamal Musiala was especially very hard to close down – Jorginho marked him tightly but he still could get away from him and allow Bayern to progress.

In this example, Arsenal were already marking Bayern's left-side but they still could progress by winning the 50/50 duels.

Musiala vs Jorginho was one of the key duels last night and Bayern took advantage of that.

Tuchel definitely wanted Musiala to be ‘free’ as much as possible.

The left side often interchanges positions for the access to open up.

Musiala can also do it against Declan Rice in tight spaces.

What a player.

Thierry Henry on Jamal Musiala.

“Give it to Musiala, he will bail you out”

From the previous examples, we can see how calm is Mazraoui under pressure.

In the only goal of the match, Mazraoui was able to win the duel vs Saka and bypass Arsenal’s counter-press.

This led to a transitional situation where then Bayern succeeded in hurting Arsenal.