Sebastian Hoeness’ FC Bayern II upstarts
Being FC Bayern II Head Coach has become a charmed position of late with the German Champions putting considerable investment in academy prospects from all over the world while developing their own talents. It also gives young coaches the opportunity to work under and collaborate with some of the most talented and experienced coaches in world football with the first-team as Erik ten Hag has taken Pep Guardiola’s teachings to further explore his own philosophy with FC Utrecht before leading Ajax to a UEFA Champions League semi-final and an Eredivisie title. Tim Walter used the tactical freedom of his role to explore the world of football and the roles of centre-backs and midfielders more deeply at Holstein Kiel and in a half-season stint with Stuttgart as a he will be a manager that will attract interest in the summer. 38-year-old Sebastian Hoeness had a difficult start after taking the job last summer but took his young and highly talented side with players from far flung areas like South Korea and New Zealand to a Bundesliga 3rd Division title with a progressive style.
Build-up
Sebastian Hoeness employs a 4-4-2 diamond or 4-3-3 shape as his build-up style resembles Marco Rose and Rene Maric’ Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Monchengladbach sides in some aspects. His side will build-up in a 2+3/2+4 shape as the space in between the centre-backs and six-space will be managed with the centre-backs pushing up to attract pressure before releasing the ball to the six-space in the second-line. If FC Bayern II are in the diamond shape, the fullbacks will stretch the pitch with the wide midfielders dropping deep, slightly higher than the six-space to receive possession and establish connections with the deeper-lying midfielder while the attacking midfielder will push up next to the strikers to create a front three while dropping into the ten space once the centre-backs move the ball into the second-line.
In the photo above, the active role the midfielders take in build-up is shown as FC Bayern II are in a 2+3/2+4 shape with rotations in the six-space as Jeong Woo-yeong has dropped into the six-space while Angelo Stiller - who is the normal deep-lying midfielder - has moved into the wide role to under-lap the ball-far fullback. Switching to a double-pivot is a ploy that allows Hoeness’ side to attract pressure to one flank with Jeong receiving the ball before laying off a pass to one of the centre-backs who will play a pass to one of the midfielders dropping into the deeper areas. At this point, the fullbacks will begin to push up once the ball is moved behind the first line of opposition pressure to provide width for switch balls as Hoeness prefers to have a line of three with midfielders in front of the defensive two-chain. All of FC Bayern II’s midfielders are in the frame and have active roles in build-up to create an asymmetrical shape where their side can move the ball through the zones with one-touch passing and movement. There can even be sequences where the attacking midfielder in the ten space will drop into the six space to receive possession.
A favoured routine of Hoeness is to have the wide midfielder underlapping the fullback and dropping deep as a passing option for the centre-back while attracting pressure for the defender to then play a pass to the fullback who will have space in the wide zone to set-up an attacking situation in the wide areas. In the photo above, his side have created opportunities for triangular passing routines to create space in the opposition defensive block as the player spacing not only allows FC Bayern II to beat the first line but to also transition into the opposition half with the midfielders providing passing options for the deepest-lying midfielder. FC Bayern II have shifted the line of pressure to one flank while establishing themselves on the weak side as the centre-back can work a pass for his fullback in the lateral zone who will flick on for the midfielder in the half-space to lay-off a pass for Jeong in the six-space who can drive the ball forward and work a pass for the ball-far midfielder in the ball-far half-space at which point, his fullback will make an overlapping run outside of him to receive the ball for a cross to the strikers.
At times, FC Bayern II will look like a 2-3-2-3 but with all three midfielders in the same vertical line as the fullbacks in a 2-5-3. With the midfielders in the same vertical line, Hoeness’ side will look for connections and midfield rotations as the midfielder in the six-space will lay-off to the centre-backs, the midfielder in the six-space will then push up or move into the wider positions while the closest midfielder will drop into the six-space to receive the ball as these rotations will allow the side to work the ball into the next line while also moving the ball into the opposition half for vertical rotations where they will transition to the approach play phase. Hoeness’ side will also evacuate the six-space in certain situations with the deepest-lying midfielder moving into the wide zone as the fullback will be in the lateral zone with the wide midfielder maintaining a position in the half-space to create an overload. The attacking midfielder will also move into the wider zone as an outball to receive the ball, turn and work a pass to a runner in the centre or try look for a direct low cross to the two strikers.
FC Bayern II work direct low crosses into the box from the deeper wider areas, looking at low crosses into the zone in between the strikers and goalkeeper. They can work sequences where they move out wide into space to work a direct low cross into the box. Hoeness’ side can be more direct with their build-up as at times, the centre-backs can split into the wider positions to work passes into the midfield for longer passes in behind or to play the long balls into runners themselves. There will be constant movement among the attackers and the ten space as the strikers are required to be active in the wide channels receiving direct balls as if one of the strikers move wide, then the player in the ten space will push into the attacking line or the striker and attacking midfielder in the ten space can regularly switch roles.
Bayern Munich II will normally adapt their shape when they face man-orientated pressure as if the opposition mark the two-chain with two strikers then Hoeness’ side will respond by playing the ball back to the goalkeeper with the centre-backs dropping alongside the keeper before the keeper will work a pass to the defensive midfielder dropping in between them. The midfielders will rotate but will rarely drop in between the centre-backs to form a three-chain except in high pressure situations where they will drop beside the centre-backs to create space for the ball-far centre-back to drive the ball into the opposition half.
In the picture above, the centre-backs are facing pressure from two strikers in as the opposition are in a 4-4-2 defensive block as the right midfielder has dropped next to his centre-back to receive the ball which has triggered the opposition winger pushing up to engage the midfielder in possession which will create a passing lane for the fullback who has pushed into the higher areas to receive a pass and play it into the attacker in the half-space to have a low crossing opportunity. The attacker in the half-space can also drop deeper to receive possession before turning and laying a ball of to the ten space who will switch to the ball-far fullback or work a ball in behind for one of the attackers making a run in behind. All the attackers are positioned on the ball-near side of their defenders as if the attacker in the right half-space drops deep then his marker will drop with him creating a passing lane for the central attacker to chase a through ball into the channels.
The opposition defensive block has also shifted to the right-flank to engage the man in possession but with the ball-far centre-back maintaining a wide position, this allows him to drive forward and receive a pass to continue to drive into the opposition half and look for a through-ball, possibly to the ten space. Hoeness prefers to play a mobile and physically strong player in the ten space with Joshua Zirkzee holding that role in the image above while Jamal Musiala has also begun to thrive in that position as they can switch with the strikers while also receive early balls with their backs to goal, before turning past man to try and create shooting opportunities for their teammates. Jeong has also played in the role due to his immaculate first touch, ability to establish connections in the deeper areas as well as his ability to move into the wide areas and create opportunities through cut-backs.
Positional Play
Hoeness prefers his side to play their way into the box with elaborate one or two-touch moves in between the lines to open up spaces and work passes in behind for their strikers as fullbacks will make timed runs into the final third to receive possession and work crossing opportunities. Blind-sided movements are also essential to Bayern II’s style of play, especially with the wider midfielders making timed movements off the flank to receive possession in the central areas to create overloads to work triangular passing routines with the strikers for a third-man runner to make runs in behind. The young side are consistently working on their player spacing, maintaining close distances to establish connections and movements at a rapid pace to disorient the opposition back-line. Hoeness’ side will usually operate in a 2-3-5 shape with multiple variations as the fullbacks may flank the six-space, allowing the wide-midfielders to push into the half-spaces with the attacking midfielders shifting to the ball-near flank to create overloads for cut-backs or low crossing opportunites. If the fullbacks make their late runs into the final third, then the wide-midfielders will flank the six-space as passing options in the centre and cover in the counter-pressing phase.
In the situation above, Bayern are moving into the opposition half as their centre-backs have pushed up as they have overloaded the central pockets with five players as the centre-back can push up to draw a marker before releasing the ball to a teammate in between the lines. However, he has decided to work a pass in between the lines as Jeong has dropped deep to receive possession and occupy the opposition winger while the wide-midfielder has made a timed blind-sided movement from the wide areas to the space in between the fullback and centre-back in the opposition defensive chain. The centre-back is playing a pass into the wide-midfielder whose movement has also allowed him to move closer to the attacking midfielder who has taken a central striking role in the place of Jeong as well as the other striker to work a one-touch pass into one of them as they can play a pass into Jeong who will be making a third-man to receive the ball and go in behind.
It is also noticeable that the ball-near fullback has maintained a deeper position as a passing option for the centre-back while the ball-far fullback is in a higher position to stretch the pitch and allow his wide midfielder to tuck inside and create central overloads. The ball-near fullback maintains a deep position to not only act as a passing option for the centre-backs as once the wide-midfielder makes his vertical run inside, it is plausible that he could be the third-man runner making a late run onto the flank. The centre-back could work a pass into the wide-midfielder to lay-off to Jeong while continuing his movements into the centre as the South Korean will then work a pass in behind for the onrushing overlapping fullback to have a low crossing opportunity into the box. The fullbacks making late runs into the final third adds another dimension to Bayern II attacks as a favoured routine is Hoeness’ drawing the opposition defensive chain to one flank before switching for the ball-far midfielder to receive possession which will trigger his fullback making an overlapping run to receive possession and break or to create space for the midfielder to cut inside.
Bayern II overloading the centre also allows the deeper players like the deepest-lying midfielders and centre-backs to push forward with possession and constantly find passing options in the centre, in between the central lines. When Hoeness’ side work back-passes to the deeper players, they are instructed to push forward with possession while being encouraged to dribble their direct markers to find vertical central options to instigate combinations in between the central lines. When Hoeness’ side work switch passes to the fullbacks, they will drive inside while the player in the half-space, be it the ball-near striker or wide midfielder, will move into the wide area as the fullback will look for the vertical pass to the ten space who can flick in behind for the other striker or work a lay-off for a teammate. The 3rd Division Champions will normally look to create central vertical passing sequences with positional interchanges to move possession quickly and create space to attack in the opposition defensive shape.
In the wide areas, they will work three man passing routines as the fullback, ball-near striker and midfielder will receive switch passes as the player in the lateral zone will always receive the ball and drive inside as the fullback will normally receive the ball first, to drive into the half-space with the striker moving into the lateral zone as if he does not have any passing options he will play a back-pass into his midfielder or for the striker moving into the wide areas. If he lays-off to the midfielder, he can look to switch the ball to the opposition weak side since the opposition defence has shifted across to defend his flank, try and work a through ball into the channels for the fullback or the striker to have a low crossing opportunity or drive into the centre and work a pass for the striker in the ball-far half-space.
With physically imposing attackers like Oliver Wriedt, Jamal Musiala, Malik Tillman and Zirkzee, Bayern II could work the ball into attackers who had their back to goal as they could turn past their man to have a shooting opportunity, hold off the defender to lay the pass off or flick a pass for a teammate to make a run in behind. In their build-up and positional play routines, players dropping deep and moving into space to show for the ball is an integral facet of their play as in certain situations, their player spacing is so well worked and efficient, a deeper-player could drive the ball forward and work a pass in between the lines for a the receiver to work a one-touch flick-on for a teammate in the same vertical line to establish rapid connections. Hoeness has normally played Jeong in a second striker role as it gives his side an extra man in midfield as well as allowing midfielders to push into the attacking line as if the South Korean is pushing up from a deep position, he will always act as the extra man.
When FC Bayern II shift the ball into the wide areas, a player in the half-space will normally push up to create space for the wide player in possession to cut inside or for a pass to have a low crossing opportunity. Hoeness uses positional play methodologies and concepts in his style such as a use of low crosses as Jeong has had most of his assists and chance creation situations from low crossing areas. The young side also switch the ball frequently as the opposition they face normally focus on closing down the side where possession is held, allowing Bayern II to manoeuvre to the weak side through vertical sequences and direct switch balls to create crossing opportunities and high-quality shooting opportunities.
In the situation above, Bayern II have dragged the opposition to their left flank as both their fullbacks have pushed up while the deeper-midfielders have moved closer to the six-space for vertical combinations as the ball-near midfielder is providing cover for his fullback. Hoeness’s side have created a situation where they can use movement to manipulate the opposition’s defensive shape as the opposition have placed one of their midfielders in the defensive-chain with their ball-near striker marking the deeper midfielder. This creates a passing lane to Bayern II’s attacker in the half-space as the midfielder in the defensive chain is pushing up to close him down while also vacating space in between the centre-back and fullback. The player in the half-space can work a one-touch flick-on for the striker in that area to go in behind to have a shooting opportunity or cut-back opportunity or play a one-touch pass to the wide areas for the fullback to push up and cross to the near post or cut back to the top of the box.
The opposition defensive shape in this situation is weak but Hoeness’ teams’ player spacing is perfect for one touch vertical routines as if the fullback beats his man and drives inside, the wide striker will move into the wide areas while the fullback will have passing options in the centre as well as deeper passing options. He can pass to the deeper midfielder who will switch the ball to the far side, play a one-touch pass for his teammate in the pockets who can work a pass in behind for the striker or the deeper midfielder can work a pass in behind himself once he receives the ball from the fullback. In case of a back-pass, Bayern II can work a pass for the ball-far defender who will have space to push into the opposition half and the passing options in between the lines as the opposition try to shift their defensive block. The centre-back can also stretch the pitch by spreading the ball to his fullback on the far side.
The above situation may seem like a 2-2-4-2 but in actuality is Bayern II adapting to the situation and switching from their normal 2-3-5 attacking shape as the fullback has pushed forward, with the deeper-lying midfielder having moved below him as a passing option and to provide cover if the ball is lost. The attacking midfielder has dropped into the half-space as a passing option, the ball-near striker has also moved wider to enable himself to make a run in behind in the half-space or lateral zone in a 3v3 passing move while his attacking partner has maintained his central position but moved to the ball-near side of his marker to receive crosses. The ball-far wide midfielder has tucked inside as a passing option from the six-space or from a centre-back as he has moved into the ten space to receive a direct diagonal pass to play a pass in behind or switch the ball to his overlapping fullback on the weak side. Bayern II have also created possibilities for triangular routines to manipulate the opposition defensive block with quick passing moves.
Counter-pressing
In certain situations, after losing the ball in the deeper areas, Bayern II can concede due to missed tackles as their counter-pressing is a particularly important facet of their game. Their counter-pressing is also an incredibly important tool given that they don’t press high as they establish a medium block before pushing higher due to certain triggers. Hoeness’ side will look to regain possession as quickly as possible to prevent the opposition from counter-attacking and having goal scoring opportunities.
A few of their counter-pressing mechanisms bear some resemblance to Marco Rose and Rene Maric’s Red Bull Salzburg as the side will normally deploy a midfield diamond in and out of possession as if they lose possession, their diamond will squeeze and come closer together with their wide-midfielders tucking inside and their deeper-lying midfielder pushing up to close the opposition down and regain possession. They will also look to force the opposition into back-passes as they will push higher with the strikers marking the centre-backs and their attacking midfielder closing down the six-space as if the opposition centre-backs move the ball back to the keeper both strikers will push up to press and force the keeper into a turnover or a long-ball. Their diamond will also restrict so they can regain possession by intercepting the opposition’s first pass as if the opposition look to switch the ball then the ball far midfielder will tuck in and regain possession with an interception.
If they fail to regain possession with the first-pass, the deeper-lying midfielder and centre-backs will push up while the wide midfielders will chase the man in possession to regain the ball through directing him into an overload situation or a tackle. The closest attacking player is also instructed to retreat and look to regain possession as with Bayern II’s players closely spaced out, they can transition into an attacking situation. Playing in a diamond allows Hoeness the same benefits that it did Rose and Maric in that they can easily shift in between having possession and regaining possession with their players closely spaced together as they can also force the opposition into back-passes while they transition into their defensive shape before looking to press high.
In certain situations, the deepest-lying midfielder, normally Angelo Stiller will be positioned in the wide areas in order to allow the ball-near midfielder, fullback and striker to counter-press and constrain the space in the wide areas with Stiller acting as press security. Rose and Maric utilised this same manoeuvre at Salzburg with Diadie Samassekou moving to the wide areas to allow his team to have a concerted counter-press so his side can regain the ball quickly in that zone to launch an attacking situation with quick passing routines to create a high-quality goalscoring opportunity. The ball-near centre-back will also be positioned on that flank to provide cover as if the opposition look to play a direct pass down the line, it can be intercepted while they can also force the opposition for the highly positioned centre-backs to recover to drive forward and recycle.
Hoeness prefers to have his centre-backs positioned closer to the halfway line in counter-pressing situations in order to push and regain possession so his side can maintain momentum. If Bayern II lose possession in a crossing situation then his centre-backs will push into the opposition half as a unit to regain possession as Hoeness tasks his centre-backs with pushing up to anticipate passes and win interceptions. In certain situations where the fullbacks have maintained a closer position to the centre-backs and Bayern II have lost the ball in the opposition half then the fullbacks have moved into the centre to counter-press with the centre-backs pushing up, so they can have numerical superiority and regain possession.
Pressing
Hoeness’ side have an unusual style of pressing the opposition as they employ a medium block with the two strikers positioning themselves at the halfway line, with the attacking midfielder either marking the opposition defensive midfielder to deny the centre-backs access to him or pushing into the same vertical line as the strikers to create a 4-3-3 medium block. They will usually allow the opposition defenders to push up to the halfway line before engaging as if they play balls out wide, the fullbacks or wide midfielders will push up to engage the player in possession. If the fullback pushes up, then the midfielder will cover him by dropping into the fullback position to retain defensive solidity. Bayern II are looking to force the opposition to move into the wide areas to force a lateral press as the two strikers, ball-near midfielder, fullback as well as the attacking midfielder and ball-far midfielder will tuck in and overload that flank to lateral press, regain possession and break on the opposition while they are disorganized.
A pressing technique like this may not work well in the Bundesliga where teams are much more well-versed at involving the keeper, allowing the centre-backs to push up and using movement in the second-line to beat the first line of pressure but it has worked well for Hoeness and Bayern II in their division. They normally utilize pressing triggers such as back-passes as if the opposition centre-backs play the ball back to the keeper, Bayern II will push to press as they will push up as high as having one striker or both striker’s pressing the keeper to force a long ball, so the centre-backs can regain possession at the halfway line. They will push up to press in a diamond formation with the strikers marking the centre-backs and pushing forward to close down the keeper if he receives possession as well as the attacking midfielder closing down the opposition defensive midfielder and the wide midfielders closing down the fullbacks.
Bayern II will look to deny the opposition access to the centre and tease passes to the fullbacks which will trigger the wide-midfielders to push up and close down the fullbacks to force loose passes which the fullbacks, attacking midfielder or deep-lying midfielder can cover. At times, Bayern II will shift over to lateral press with the ball-near striker moving to the flank, the ball-far striker dropping deeper and closing down the six-space to allow the attacking midfielder to move to the flank with the ball-far midfielder tucking inside so Bayern II can regain possession and work an attack with quick combinations and a low cross. The striker’s also have an integral role in deciding when to shift into the pressing phase as the opposition may work the ball back from the flanks and the closest striker to the ball will scan to see if he has support before deciding to press. If he has support, he will push up to press the keeper as his teammates will have shorter ground to cover as once the ball is worked to one of the opposition’s deeper-lying players a teammate will support him by applying pressure.
However, if the striker decides he doesn’t have the adequate coverage, he will maintain a deeper position where Hoeness’ side will switch to their medium 4-4-2 diamond block or 4-3-3. Even if Bayern II are in a 4-3-3 medium block, they will always switch to press in a 4-4-2 diamond high press to properly mark the opposition centre-backs and fullbacks. The 4-3-3 medium block allows Hoeness’ side to man-mark if the opposition are switching to a back-three but they switch back to a diamond to push up and press high with the strikers marking the space in between the central centre-back and wide centre-backs, closing down whoever is in possession and preventing connections. The attacking midfielder will maintain a closer position and keep the opposition defensive midfielder in his cover shadow as Bayern II will look to close down the opposition in a ball-orientated fashion creating 3v1 overloads on the central player in possession.
Defensive Shape
Bayern II preferred to maintain a medium block, allowing the centre-backs to push up to the halfway line before forcing them into back-passes and playing the ball into the wide areas as they seek to maintain a rigid defensive block in a diamond 4-4-2 or a 4-3-1-2 shape. They seek to cover for each other and adapt to the opposition’s attacking movement through their man-orientated marking responsibilities. For instance, if the opposition have their fullback pushed up high with a deeper-lying midfielder underlapping him then the fullback will be marked by Bayern II’s fullback while the midfielder will be marked by Bayern II’s wide midfielder. If the opposition fullback drops deep to receive possession, Bayern II’s fullback will push forward to press him while Bayern II’s wide midfielder will continue to track his marker into the wide areas, dropping into a fullback role to cover for his fullback.
In the situation above, Bayern II are in their medium block and have lured the opposition into a pressing trap in the wide areas as they have denied the opposition access to the centre with the two strikers pressing the centre-backs and the attacking midfielder having the opposition defensive midfielder in his cover shadow. The opposition have worked a pass to the wide areas which has triggered pressure from the ball-near wide midfielder and striker while the attacking midfielder has also moved across to close the passing lane to the six-space. Hoeness’ side have created a 3v1 situation as the ball-far striker and midfielder will tuck in so Bayern II can regain possession and launch a break. The tight player spacing from the Bayern II defensive block allows the ball-far striker to mark the space in between the two centre-backs as the ball-near striker is tasked with covering both the fullback and the centre-back if the opposition manage to back-pass out of the situation. However, the ball-far striker will be tasked with leading the press if they back-pass as he will push forward to mark the ball-far opposition centre-back as well as the goalkeeper to force the turnover or the long ball, so Bayern II can regain possession.
In certain situations, Hoeness’ side will switch to a 5-3-2 low block with deepest-lying midfielder, Angelo Stiller dropping in between the centre-backs while the attacking midfielder drops deeper to create a midfield three behind the two strikers. The two strikers will still be tasked with marking the centre-backs but also with keeping the opposition defensive midfielder in their cover shadow and denying passing access to the six-space. If the ball moves to one flank, then the ball-far striker will drop deeper to mark the defensive midfielder pushing up to press when the opposition back-pass as Bayern II will switch to their 4-4-2 diamond pressing shape. Stiller will drop in between the centre-backs to allow the ball-near centre-back to push forward and regain possession or to move into the wide areas to support the wide midfielder and fullback.
This will also allow Bayern II to have one or two players in the half-space to track opposition wide passing rotations or defend crosses with blocks and interceptions. If the opposition switch the ball, playing with a back-five allows Hoeness side to have a 2v1/2v2 situation against the ball-far attackers and shift their defensive shape to the opposite flank as the centre-back and fullback can move to engage the opposition players. If the winger is able to cover the space, then Bayern II can maintain their back-five and force the opposition down the flank where they will cut out crossing situations with the ball-near defender making blocks in the half-space while the ball-near midfielder and fullback defend the flanks. Out of possession. Hoeness’ side seek to restrict the opposition, forcing them into alleys where they can apply pressure and regain possession without allowing the opposition into the deeper areas of their half.
Conclusion
Hoeness’ triumph in the Third Division with his attractive style and improvement of young players has attracted interest from the Bundesliga, specifically Hoffenheim where he played briefly during his career. In the latter stages of the season he began to rely on 17-year-old, Jamal Musiala and 18-year-old, Malik Tillman. The 38-year-old manager looks set to move to a higher level as it will be interesting to see how he adapts his style to suit better players and opponents and a faster pace of football. Even, Rose had to adapt his style to the demands of the Bundesliga as Hoeness has disproved all the murmurs that his promotion to the Bayern II Head Coaching role was a matter of nepotism as his uncle is Uli Hoeness while his father is Dieter who also played for Bayern Munich and West Germany with distinction. He has also worked for RB Leipzig at youth level as he has already carved out quite the CV for himself.
