FC Bayern Munich - Findings from the preparation: Nagelsmann relies on the tried and tested

Four games, no victory – and because of the corona-related postponement of the DFB Cup game at Bremer SV, there is now a two-week break. What remained of the preparatory games under the new coach Julian Nagelsmann apart from the poor results? The findings.

1 .: Julian Nagelsmann initially relies on proven systems

Tactical guru Pep Guardiola was just a few weeks coach of FC Bayern in the summer of 2013, when, to everyone’s amazement, he downplayed the importance of tactical systems. “Just phone numbers,” he said at the time. Much more important, however, is how they are filled with life.

Especially in his second and third years at FC Bayern Guardiola dialed a wide variety of phone numbers – which differentiates him from his mostly system-loyal predecessors and successors Jupp Heynckes, Carlo Ancelotti, Jupp Heynckes, Niko Kovac and, most recently, Hansi Flick. With the signing of Julian Nagelsmann as the new coach, the return of wild phone number dialing was expected. At his ex-club RB Leipzig, he had shown himself to be extremely willing to experiment in this regard.

FC Bayern Munich: winners and losers in preparation

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The four test games are over, the start of the competitive game for FC Bayern on August 6 against Bremer SV in the DFB Cup is getting closer. Who are the winners and losers of the preparation under new coach Julian Nagelsmann?

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WINNER – DAYOT UPAMECANO: The newcomer from Leipzig has been in good shape since day one of the preparations. In the test matches he exuded great security, convinced with good positional play and good opening.

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TANGUY NIANZOU: In the tests, the 19-year-old mostly acted on Upamecano’s side in central defense and was mostly convincing. In the 2-2 draw against Ajax, Nianzou even scored a goal. The chance of starting the season as a regular is great.

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JOSIP STANISIC: The home grown man just got a professional contract. In the tests it advanced to become a reliable all-purpose weapon, acted as a right and left defender as well as a rock solid six. Has good prospects for a permanent position in the squad.

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TORBEN RHEIN: The midfielder (18) from the second was allowed to play in all test matches and also made a mature impression in training. Due to the bottleneck in midfield, he can hope for many minutes at the start of the season.

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ARMINDO SIEB: Another promising talent from campus. It is quite possible that the 18-year-old attacking player will take the place of the fourth winger in the squad. Sieb was in three friendly matches (1 goal). Nagelsmann is very fond of him.

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LOSER – CHRIS RICHARDS: Returned from Hoffenheim to Munich with advance praise. Due to minor ailments, he was rarely able to train fully and was not always confident defensively in 135 minutes. It is unclear whether he will stay.

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MARC ROCA: Already the unlucky one. Got fit in the summer and did without the Olympics to start under Nagelsmann. I suffered an ankle ligament injury before the first test and will probably not come back until September.

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CHRISTOPHER SCOTT: Talented and flexible offensive player among the FCB amateurs, who was given a lot of confidence in the run-up to the preparation. But injured himself in the first test against Cologne and hardly got the opportunity to show himself in the absence of the stars.

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MICHAEL CUISANCE: After his unsuccessful season at Olympique Marseille, wanted to start a second attempt in Munich. However, his performances left a lot to be desired in all test matches. A new loan seems likely.

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JOSHUA ZIRKZEE: Similar case to Cuisance. Was not enough in the tests, in addition there was the carelessly awarded high-profile against Ajax. The competition in attack is too great for the Dutchman (20), so a loan to Anderlecht is pending

In the four test games, however, nothing of this was to be seen, Nagelsmann only switched between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3. He has not yet tested the 3-4-2-1, which has been used most frequently in his career so far.

Since many EM drivers started training late and the squad is plagued by injury problems, Nagelsmann relies on proven systems. “I have often emphasized that I want to bring in a few new things, but not by the devil in the first few games,” he said after the 2-0 home defeat by Borussia Mönchengladbach in the penultimate friendly.