Bayern Munich – Schalke 04: Bayern’s perpetual motion machine marauds Schalke’s disorganized defense (6-0)

As this match unfolded at the Allianz Arena, we saw the home side put in an emphatic performance that showed why they could once again be Bundesliga champions while Schalke became further mired in this year’s relegation scrap.

Tactical analysis and match report by Ade Samuel.

Both Bayern and Schalke came into this matchday 32 fixture needing a result, but for differing reasons. Bayern found themselves in the familiar position of looking to win what would be their eleventh straight Bundesliga title, and in search of a victory to keep their nearest challengers Dortmund at arm’s length in the title race. Schalke on the other hand found themselves just above the relegation play-off spot, only two points ahead of VFB Stuttgart and VFL Bochum.

Schalke’s game plan against Bayern was fairly clear. They appeared to approach the game with a view toward damage limitation. Fresh off back-to-back wins against Werder Bremen and Mainz, Schalke manager Thomas Reis set his side up in the same 4-2-3-1 formation they played in the two preceding two matches. 

However, Reis opted to start with Rodrigo Zalazar and Simon Terodde on the bench, playing Danny Latza and Michael Frey instead. Both Zalazar and Terodde were on four yellow cards and in danger of being suspended for Schalke’s upcoming match against Frankfurt. Reis’s decision to rest these two seemed to indicate that he and his staff were more concerned with ensuring they had their best side available for the Frankfurt match than facing the uphill task of getting a win at the home of league leaders Bayern. 

Bayern manager Thomas . . .