By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Despite having recaptured the national league's top spot last weekend, Bayern Munich barely has time to take a breath to face its first vital test on the international stage this Tuesday evening against Tottenham Hotspurs in London.
Niko Kovac is further on puzzling over the most promising line-up while team leaders such as Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer demand significant improvement shortly to address the club's international goals.
Aside from wastefully dealing with goal opportunities, Bayern's coach isn't happy about his team defending approach. Six conceived goals in six games in the Bundesliga is said to cause growing dissatisfaction. Team captain Neuer demanded more efficiency while Kimmich complained about "us receiving too many goals."
Bayern finds itself in the middle of a controversial debate about its tactics and system.
To make its international dreams come true, Bayern might have to change its approach in midfield, former Bayern professional and French international Bixente Lizarazu suggested.
The 49-year-old said defensive balance is deciding about international success. The former left-back said Kovac's choice regarding its defensive midfielders might be decisively indicating the current solution with Thiago Alcantara and Kimmich ahead of the back-row might not be the best choice.
He praised 2019 Champions League winner Liverpool counting on three solid midfielders supporting the Premier League side's forwarding game. This is a primary reason for the LFC's success, Lizarazu stressed.
Bayern's tactical system seems far more fragile compared to Liverpool as Kimmich, and Thiago's strength lies in the forwarding game. The risk to provide open spaces for the opponent increases with David Alaba and Benjamin Pavard on the left and right spot of the back row. Both are highly forward bound Lizarazu commented.
He called Kovac's choice important and mentioned Javi Martinez and French 2018 World Champion Corentin Tolisso as possible options. Lizarazu said Liverpool is the Champions League's best side at present as "it looks like they are made of one piece."
Kimmich called for patience as the team is on its way to adopting the changes from a winger-strong system to a more centralistic approach with Coutinho as the principal performer.
The 24-year-old German international is expected to remain in midfield in the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Kovac said it is necessary to increase "times we dominate the game from 60 minutes to 70 to 80 minutes."
