Champions League: Five reasons Bayern lost to Atletico Madrid

– Team selection and tactical input leads to Bayern’s downfall

– Bayern fails to control the game tried to avoid yellow cards

– Atletico’s Oblak frustrated all Bayern’s efforts towards goal

Bayern Munich were humbled 1-0 by a critically defensive Atletico Madrid in their first leg UEFA Champion League match at Vincente Calderon Stadium.

The German champions going into the contest were the highest scoring side in the Champions League this season but failed to find the back of the net against the high flying Diego Simeone’s side.

Diego Simeone

Here are five reasons Bayern lost to Atletico

1) Tactical formation

When the team sheet of Bayern was released it can be envisaged that Pep Guadiola’s tactics will backfire with his approach to the game.

Putting Muller on bench in a high profiled game against Atletico was a big gamble which reduced assistance to Lewandoski leaving Douglas Costa and Conman who only supplied crosses through the flanks.

2) Muller’s Absence

Thomas Muller’s influence for both club and country has earned a legendary status he deserves. The 26 year can double as an arrow head and a supporting striker who also win balls in the midfield because of his doggedness.

Thomas Muller scores his second goal as Bayern beat Arsenal 5 – 1

Bayern could have created and converted the few chances that came their way in the first half leaving Lewandoski anonymous and too ordinary in front of goal.

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3) Instability in the midfield

The inconsistency of the midfield trio of Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantra and Arturo Vidal was glaring as they did not settle quickly in the game which led to Saul Miguez 11 minute strike and the likes of Bernat, Alonso, Alacantra and Alaba were avoiding to be carded which cost them dearly.

Faulty strings of passes in midfield did not let Bayern control the game as they usually do and a defensive conscious Atletico side crowded their half giving Bayern no space to operate.

4) Few natural defenders

All through the season Bayern have had defensive frailties because players like Alaba and Xavi Martinez have been converted into their unnatural defensive roles.

The power and pace of Torres and Griezman was too hot to handle for the duo as they caused all sort of problems for the Bayern defence but were lucky as both strikers did not add to the tally which would put the contest beyond reach.
5) Oblak’s brilliance

Without a shadow of a doubt Oblak has been in fantastic form since he was signed from Benfica three seasons ago and has been instrumental to Atletico’s impressive defensive record who had conceded just 19 goals in 42 games this season.

Oblak made reflex saves form Alaba, Vidal and Lewandoski which kept the score line at 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon.

The tie has not been decided yet and Bayern needs to go back to the drawing board to re-strategize to keep their dreams of lifting the trophy in Milan.

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