Hell is about to freeze over because, for the first time in more than a decade, Bayern Munich look like they will actually lose the Bundesliga title. Xabi Alonso’s flying Leverkusen side trounced the reigning champions recently to increase the gap to five points and Thomas Tuchel is feeling the heat.
For their part, the players have maintained that there’s no need to question the manager as they themselves have to step up first.
However, the German is not making it easy for himself. Some of his decisions have been puzzling and his reputation as a tactical savant is quickly turning into someone who tinkers to his own downfall.
Here are the two biggest decisions made by Thomas Tuchel that would have the Bayern hierarchy questioning if they have the right man in the dugout-
Reactive vs proactive football
There has always been a certain swagger to Bayern Munich. They play domestic fixtures like they are born to win them and it is true as well, since they have won the last 11. A major part behind their success is their ability to bend their opponents to their will with proactive, attacking football that blows away the opposition.
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That has taken a 180-degree turn under Tuchel. The game against Leverkusen was a prime example as out of nowhere, Tuchel changed Bayern’s system to mirror Leverkusen’s three-at-the-back formation. A team that prided itself in pummeling their opponents into submission was more concerned about the opposition this time.
Needless to say, Bayern didn’t look like they were used to playing that system (of course they didn’t). To make matters, worse, Alonso was a step ahead of Tuchel, as he changed his system proactively, predicting Tuchel would do this.
The result was a comprehensive 3-0 battering including a goal by Josip Stanisic, a Bayern player on loan at Leverkusen. The ultimate shame.
Strange team selection
Changing the system is still fine if the players can make it work. Tuchel hasn’t made it easy for them either. Eric Dier was brought in the January transfer window as someone who couldn’t get a game at Tottenham.
Fast forward a few weeks, Dier was starting against Leverkusen ahead of Matthijs de Ligt. Dier didn’t do badly at all, but De Ligt can be forgiven for thinking what he did wrong to get dropped in the biggest game of the season.
The Dutchman has been the defensive leader of this team and alongside Upamecano, has led the way at the Bavarians for most of the season. The selection call has also intensified the noise around his future at the club as European elites are circling.
Without intending any disrespect towards Dier, who has done a serviceable job since arriving, if Tuchel becomes the catalyst for De Ligt’s permanent exit, the board won’t be too happy.