Guardiola looking for leaks in perfect system

Despite their sixth group match against Dinamo Zagreb in the 2015/2016 Champions League on Wednesday evening being of no real relevance, intense investigations are currently keeping the German champion Bayern Munich busy.

   "Detective" Pep Guardiola is in charge of finding leaks in his almost perfect tactical system to avoid another painful deja vu in the near future. 

   Guardiola's squad has already topped the group to qualify for the round of the last 16 (12 points/17-3 goals). But since last weekend the carefree times for the Bavarians seem to be over after their first loss in the German Bundesliga to Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1. 

   The defeat in Moenchengladbach followed exactly the pattern as the most painful defeats in April 2014 and May 2015 when Bayern Munich was thrashed by Real Madrid (4-0) and Barcelona (3-0) in the semifinal of the Champions League. Against Real, three goals were scored in 34 minutes, against   "Barca" three in 23 minutes and against Moenchengladbach within only 14. What Guardiola called a loss of control turns out to be his teams Achilles heel. 

   Like the Spanish giants Barcelona, Moenchengladbach also found the leaks in Guardiola's system and far too easy. As Guardiola's ball and game control system forces his team to work with a defense far away from their own goal, quick reacting opponents counter attacking quickly down the flanks, long passes and a solid midfield can kill all Bavarian hopes if carried out perfectly after gaining possession of the ball.   

   Finding the leaks might be his hardest job ever since Guardiola became head coach in Munich. Additionally his team has to find solutions to turnaround and win a game after falling behind down. For weeks, Bayern's system, in both the Champions League and in the Bundesliga, seems to have developed near perfection. Bayern was seen as an unbeatable team that is stronger than ever, and strong enough to challenge the big boys of world football.  

   But the old problems that the team seemed to have overcome are obviously deeper rooted than expected. Meaning, they have not fully disappeared, a fact that causes a lot of sleepless nights for both Guardiola and Bayern Munich. Solutions have to contain answers when the Bavarian ball-controlling-fetishists lose the ball, meaning they for a certain time aren't controlling the ball (and the game). Exactly these moments are the ones that need improvement. 

   The question that has to be answered is what happens when Bayern's dominant game that normally does not allow their opponents to breath goes out of control when they lose possession of the ball for longer periods. Last season, when Bayern was beaten 2-0 by Moenchengladbach, the second goal was scored after eleven precise passes that left them chasing shadows.    Both, Bayern and Guardiola, know that solving the tricky tactics problem would mean they are fully prepared to face their biggest rivals, Real Madrid and Barcelona, when it comes to decisive games next spring time. To beat one or both is the only way to fulfill their dream of winning the Champions League with Guardiola as head-coach of Bayern Munich. 

   After all, at present no one can reliably presume how the team will react when Guardiola announces his decision whether he will leave the club after this season or stay on. Guardiola has said he will announce his decision after the last match before the Bundesliga starts its winter break on Dec. 19. 

   Despite the biggest challenge of his life (meaning to find solutions), Guardiola's team wants to beat Zagreb. After all, UEFA hands out 1.5 million euros for every Champions League victory. The game against Zagreb is not the one Guardiola will find the convincing answers he needs to be successful in the future as he will have to turn out a B-team as several key-players are out injured and the Croatians are far away from the standards of Real and Barcelona. 

   It will be a game that would be nice to win but won't deliver the much-needed answers for a long and happy life in the Champions League. Currently David Alaba, Douglas Costa, Juan Bernat, Mario Goetze, Thiago and Arjen Robben are not in top form after injuries. Nothing to get a headache from at present.  

   But next year when Guardiola's decision is announced and the big games are waiting, not to have found answers could mean more than a headache, more like a nightmare. In games against the other favorites and world class teams, Bayern won't dominate the game fully over the full 90 minutes.

   "We have to learn not to cave in after going behind. We have to stay calm and regain control," said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.  Endi