Of the many possible tactical options, Felix Magat chose the most attacking one - with three nominal attackers. Instead of useless recently, Macaya in the starting lineup came Podolsky. He seemed to have gotten in good shape - he not only made poker in San Marino (Magata's successes in the national team are of little concern), but also scored an important cup goal on Saturday - at the gate of St. Pauli. Pizarro was operating near Podolski, and Santa Cruz was supposed to disperse the attacks of the “Bavaria” from the depths.
With such a composition - and not attack? However, in the first minutes the hosts did not fly forward. Largely due to the fact that Spartak did not give: it clearly blocked the zones, held the ball and as a result recorded both the first corner and the first shot of the goal into the target.
Perhaps the Munich team felt that the matches of the qualifying rounds of the Champions League (in them Spartak and the attackers did not score, and the defenders regularly made mistakes) are more significant than the games of the Russian championship, and they underestimated the opponent. But in the first half, Spartak looked almost flawless: compact defense, a quick transition to attack. The ball went forward, while the defenders instantly moved to the center of the field - and, taking the ball away, the Bavarians immediately fell into a straitened position.
The hosts looked no better than in a meeting with the same “St. Pauli”. Maybe they were ready to act at a frantic pace, but there was nowhere to run away - if only in their own half. Even from the rare moments when the Spartacists were mistaken, the Bavarians, contrary to custom, could not get any benefit. Their long-range strikes were not dangerous either.
The Bavarian players constantly talked to each other, apparently trying to discuss ways to overcome the Spartak defense on the spot. Schweinsteiger, having met in the central circle with Santa Cruz, suggested that he switch places. Santa Cruz did not mind, but Bystrov was waiting for him on the flank, and Mozart was covering Schweinsteiger in the center. The Bavarians have changed again and again - with the same success.
True, Spartak didn’t succeed in the attack. But it was clear that the guests were not very worried. The main thing was not to miss, but on the offensive - time.
Near the end of the half, the Munich team got nervous. Having received the right to a dangerous free kick, they deliberated for a long time, but as a result they mixed up their homework and played the “standard” so meaninglessly that even Bavarian fans could not help laughing. And two dangerous moments, created soon by Spartak, upset the fans so much that for a break they played Bavaria with a whistle.
The second half, the hosts began in a completely different mood. It was as if Magat had explained to them in the locker room what benefits could be derived from the new tactical scheme. In the 47th minute, Pizarro successfully took over the game. And on the 52nd Santa Cruz took advantage of a penetrating pass into the penalty area.
While the frustrated Spartacists decided how to live further, Bayern could still score. But I did not realize a couple of points and relaxed a little. Spartak has become freer. The Reds and Whites carried out three dangerous attacks in a row, but none led to success. But Bayern were a little scared and just in case scored the third goal.
And after the fourth, Schweinsteiger did not even participate in the traditional embrace, but simply ran to the bench to drink water. Fans of the hosts were also in the most complacent mood. They applauded for a long time when Kowalewski brought the ball so hard to the podium that he galloped like a flat stone across the water: from the lower rows to the upper ones.
A few minutes later, Oliver Kahn, fending off Pavlyuchenko’s blow at point-blank range, as if deliberately emphasizing to the public the difference in class rivals. And the strike of the Spartak striker in the crossbar only added vexation to fans of red and white.
Some of the fans from the lower tier of the central rostrum began to leave the stadium a dozen minutes before the end. The remaining few seconds before the final whistle gave their team a standing ovation. And when the stadium announcer reported the results of other matches and specified that the goal for Chelsea was on the score of Michael Ballack, they received this message with a scornful whistle.
Owen HARGRIVES: “The new tactic worked. This scheme - in three forwards - we did not play in advance. The trainer simply explained who should do what. And already in the second half, every Bavarian player fulfilled his duties perfectly. Compared to last season, our team is much more flexible in terms of tactics. Previously, the whole game was built through Ballack, but now there are much more options. ”
Bastian Schweinsteiger: “On the one hand, we can say that it was a good start. On the other, we played at home and were obliged to win. In the first half it was hard, because the Muscovites were located very deep. But in the second half we began to move better, and everything fell into place. "
Felix IAEA: “The attack played as it should. I am pleased that two of the three attackers scored on the ball. It may well be that we will use this tactical scheme more often. ”
Roque SANTA CRUZ: “This victory, of course, added to our confidence. After all, this weekend was the hardest match against St. Pauli, which, of course, cannot be compared with this meeting. ”
Sergey Krivokharchenko