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Thiago–Kimmich, a double pivot that acts as a midfield three
The key of Bayern's improvement may well have been the talent and intelligence of two delightful players that understand each other to perfection.
Possession, position and personality. How do they do it?
The key of Bayern's improvement may well have been the talent and intelligence of two delightful players that understand each other to perfection.
Possession, position and personality. How do they do it?
Trying to avoid horizontality, Thiago and Kimmich continuously interchange heights to have a forward passing lane between each other.
They alternate who drops deep to receive the ball in front of the defence, and who stays slightly higher to progress the ball into the next line.
They alternate who drops deep to receive the ball in front of the defence, and who stays slightly higher to progress the ball into the next line.
When they have the ball, they look for verticality, despite they dominate the tempos like few others. The players in front of the ball possessor, who can be Lewandowski, Müller, Gnabry and Goretzka plus the deep full-backs, occupy the intervals and the full width of the pitch.
They position themselves in the holes between the lines so that Thiago and Kimmich can find the free man more easily. Their excellent distribution and the off-ball movements from the teammates makes it easier to exploit the gaps in the opposing defence.
What makes them complementary?
Thiago and Kimmich understand each other so well because they see football in the same way. A deep positional sense combined with their correlative roles makes them play almost by heart. They never disturb each other, but make themselves better.
Thiago and Kimmich understand each other so well because they see football in the same way. A deep positional sense combined with their correlative roles makes them play almost by heart. They never disturb each other, but make themselves better.
They have a mental map in their head thanks to their constant scanning of the pitch. They dominate the how, where and when superbly.
Time and space, time and space.
Time and space, time and space.
What makes them different?
K i m m i c h
His simplicity. Not an extra touch, not an unnecessary dribble. He'll do it, but only if he needs to. Extremely positional, which ≠ to being static. Joshua will go wide, higher or lower depending on each particular situation.
K i m m i c h
His simplicity. Not an extra touch, not an unnecessary dribble. He'll do it, but only if he needs to. Extremely positional, which ≠ to being static. Joshua will go wide, higher or lower depending on each particular situation.
Anticipation to win time and be more efficient. Big strength on the ball: the ability to find the free man. Long or short distribution, he manages to find the teammate who is unmarked in the underloaded flank or between the lines. He activates the free zones.
Effective and smart mobility. He offers and facilitates solutions tactically. First by reading and detecting off the ball, and secondly by exploiting and connecting on the ball.
T h i a g o
Similar number of passes per game (Kimmich 80, Thiago 78), but surprising to see that Kimmich takes significantly more touches (98 to 87) and touches in the final third (25 to 15) per match than the Spaniard.
Thiago is learning to choose better and be more simple.
Similar number of passes per game (Kimmich 80, Thiago 78), but surprising to see that Kimmich takes significantly more touches (98 to 87) and touches in the final third (25 to 15) per match than the Spaniard.
Thiago is learning to choose better and be more simple.
Technically, he's a step above the rest. He can be pressed and with his back to goal, yet turn around with his marvellous change of pace and direction. First touch and control, exquisite.
He handles the tempos, accelerates, decelerates...Bayern moves to his own rhythm.
He handles the tempos, accelerates, decelerates...Bayern moves to his own rhythm.
He uses his body shape and flexibility to trick his rivals and feint. The aggressiveness in his passes and the hierarchy in shielding the ball are characteristic assets from him too. Attracts opponents, then finds the free man.
A magical connection that gets the best out of each other and of the team. Flick has generated them the context so they can get the passing options and space to make the system their own, while their cognitive and technical talent makes the difference.
Pure positional play.
Pure positional play.
