Bayern Munich – Atlético Madrid: Kingsley And Co Sweep Atléti Aside In Style (4-0)

Bayern’s midfield overloads proved unsettling for Diego Simeone’s side, as they surrendered a little too much. But, ultimately, each side’s finishing qualities proved to be the deciding factor; while Atléti’s inability to score showed itself as tame and tepid, Bayern racking them up was sparkling and sensational. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly.

In this battle between an unstoppable force and an immovable object, Hansi Flick was, besides Leroy Sané, now also without Serge Gnabry, who tested positive for COVID-19 the night prior to this encounter. 

Besides their star wide forward, though, the manager was able to name a largely unchanged side from the one that beat Arminia Bielefeld 4-1 at the weekend. The one change being the reintroduction of Joshua Kimmich, as Corentin Tolisso pushed up into the number ten position as a part of Flick’s 4-2-3-1 system.

Diego Simeone, on the other hand, made a number of changes from the eleven that won 2-0 away at Celta Vigo on Saturday. In fact, only five of the eleven that started in Galicia started here. 

Among the list of changes, João Félix was restored to his position in the front two, partnering Luis Suárez, who started instead of Diego Costa. In the wide midfield positions came Yannick Carrasco and Marcos Llorente, and opting for a little more experience in the center, Héctor Herrera came in for loanee Lucas Torreira.

Atléti’s early threat is short-lived

Bayern’s standard approach in possession involved a mixture of shapes in the . . .