Bayern Wear Down Tenacious Benfica | OneFootball

Following a string of good domestic performances after the international break, Bayern returned to European action hosting Benfica at home in the Champions League.

Vincent Kompany made just a few changes to recent lineups with Manuel Neuer in goal, Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim MinJae and Alphonso Davies in defense, Joshua Kimmich and João Palhinha in midfield with Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry playing behind Harry Kane up top.

Three Things We Noticed

Relentless

Benfica came into this match with a very clear game plan from the jump. The conceded possession and formed a very organized and defensive position well inside their own half. Occasionally they would try to counter but were never really willing to commit any number to an attack.

This is born out in the stats. No Benfica starter had an average position in the Bayern half. They had one total shot which came nearly their own 18 yard box that was more of a clearance than a shot and was not on goal. Zero corner kicks, 26% possession and a 0.08xG.

This left Bayern with a lot of possession obviously but also a lot of work to break down a very deep lying team. This is the type of match that Bayern has often struggled with. Yet the Bavarians created a lot of chances on the night.

Breaking Down

Finding the solution to their oppositions tactics took a while. Bayern had ten shots in the first half five of which were on target and several of which required decent saves from the Benfica keeper. Truthfully, a few of the chances deserved better shots and probably would have been goals on another night.

However, the did finally manage to find the break though in the second half. In the 67th minute Leroy Sané played in a curling ball to Kane who just got enough on it to head toward an on running Musiala who headed it in 1-0.

Bayern would ultimately end up with a few more opportunities to score but never managed to add to their total. Still, while Bayern managed just a narrow win, personally I thought that their ability to create quality chances and ultimately find a goal. It never really felt that Bayern was getting frustrated or unimaginative. Instead they were methodical and continued their path believing they would find their goal. Given how often they will likely see this type of tactic, that is encouraging.

Cleanliness

Four matches in a row with a clean sheet is something to note. Given the tactics and opposition that they’ve faced, you have to view that with some reservation, but it is still an excellent record.

Kompany’s philosophy of controlling the game to such a degree that you try to eliminate opportunities for their opponents certainly proved effective tonight. We all know that against the bigger clubs, this could still cause problems.

Even tonight Benfica got themselves into some dangerous positions throughout the match but Kim and Upamecano were positioned well and so long as they continue to do so and don’t make mistakes on the ball, Bayern likely won’t concede a ton of chances.