Liverpool's tactic of taking turns carrying the knife in attack quickly left Bayern's players without a clear defensive target, because they had no idea who would launch the next attack.
When Kovač had first taken charge, Bayern fans had liked him a lot. But compared with Klopp, Kovač's team clearly lacked experience in major finals.
Once Klopp had his team play this rotating attack, especially with different players attacking at different moments, Bayern's defense lost its structure. Forced onto the back foot, Bayern had no idea who Liverpool would use to deliver the next cross.
The 19th minute.
"Bayern kept pressing high at the start, but now their back line is being exploited by different Liverpool players."
"First it was Joe Gomez, then Robertson, and then Leo Lin, who keeps protecting his teammates. Even if Liverpool can't attack down one flank, once Leo Lin receives the ball, he can keep moving it to another player, and Liverpool will immediately attack Süle again!"
Süle had become Liverpool's main target in attack.
"Kovač needs to use a more flexible defensive setup if he wants to stop Liverpool!"
Kovač was thinking, but if he wanted the tactics to become more flexible, he would have to change the overall plan he had drawn up at the start.
"Kimmich, go back to right back and switch the formation to a back five!"
"If Liverpool give the ball to Joe Gomez again, don't let him cross. Once Gomez passes it back to Leo Lin, the midfield must surround him immediately!"
Kovač decided to push Liverpool back into their own half first. At the very least, he had to make sure Bayern did not keep coming under sustained threat from Liverpool players in their own half.
After Bayern changed their tactics, Thiago and Javi Martínez began closing Leo Lin down.
In the 21st minute, Thiago rushed up the moment Leo Lin received the ball, while Javi Martínez clearly moved deliberately to block the passing lane from Leo Lin to Joe Gomez.
On the other side, Robertson did not dare push forward, because Kimmich's retreat left him unable to find an attacking opportunity either.
Leo Lin prepared to pass back, but every lane in front of him was occupied by either Lewandowski or Ribéry.
Gnabry waited cleverly behind Robertson. If Leo Lin made a mistake, Gnabry would be ready to exploit the space behind Robertson.
Leo Lin first used his dribbling to get past Thiago, then faced Javi Martínez. He could only do his best to hold Martínez off, and finally found a chance to pass to Gomez.
But Süle had already anticipated it. He slid in and knocked the ball out of play. Bayern Munich had found the trick to stopping Liverpool's attack.
Kovač saw at once that the defensive adjustment was working and immediately began urging his team forward.
"Lewandowski!"
"Start attacking!"
As long as Lewandowski became active, Bayern's attack would come alive.
Lewandowski deliberately walked across Van Dijk's path. He knew Van Dijk had to mark him tightly.
And once Van Dijk started sticking close to Lewandowski, Ribéry and Gnabry began attacking more proactively.
After a quiet spell, James Rodríguez finally had room to make an impact.
For an attacking midfielder like James Rodríguez, if Liverpool allowed him to receive the ball just outside the penalty arc, they were bound to face an even fiercer attack.
The 26th minute.
After seeing Lewandowski's signal, James Rodríguez immediately moved to receive the ball. Thiago played a decisive short pass, and as James Rodríguez took it, he used his signature turn.
"That was beautifully linked!"
"James Rodríguez chips it through!"
"Lewandowski has broken free of the defense!"
"This is a shooting chance!"
"Brilliant from Lewandowski!"
"He gives Bayern Munich the opening goal!"
Lewandowski was delighted. He wrapped an arm around Gnabry and ran toward Kovač, while the entire Bayern coaching staff were giving tactical instructions to the Bayern players.
"We've seen plenty of times before when Liverpool didn't look good on the pitch but still scored first. But now it was Liverpool who were playing well, while Bayern Munich weren't at their best, and yet it was Bayern Munich who broke through Liverpool's goal!"
"I don't think Liverpool can handle the situation right now, because players like Rodri are playing in their first Champions League final!"
"In this kind of situation, they may not know how to fight back while making sure Bayern don't score again, and then claw the advantage back!"
"From the moment Lewandowski moved to receive it, James Rodríguez had already figured out how to make the pass more dangerous."
Liverpool fans were getting a little worried, even though they were only one goal behind.
"I believe Klopp will have prepared for this situation, and I also believe Rodri can play better!"
"This is the first time they've had a taste of this. Bayern Munich scored first!"
"Be careful. Don't let Liverpool make another comeback this time. Keep the momentum going and win the title in one push!"
This time, even the Bayern fans were more cautious. Kovač did not look happy at all.
"Martínez, you're doing very well. Keep your defensive focus on Joe Gomez!"
Because the camera was so close, Gullit heard what Kovač said, and he also heard some of the follow-up tactics Bayern's coaching staff were discussing.
"Because of last season's failure, Bayern's new coach is taking Liverpool very seriously!"
"I think they're going to succeed!"
Leo Lin first went to Rodri and told him how to adjust his state, then found Henderson and prepared to bring out even stronger midfield pressing.
Zubizarreta shouted at Rodri.
"It's fine. Next, you need to stop Lewandowski. Van Dijk and Matip both have to drop deeper!"
Leo Lin wanted to find a mistake in the coordination between Javi Martínez and Süle. As long as those two slipped up, Liverpool would be able to threaten Neuer.
But Bayern Munich were simply too cautious.
Even with the lead, Kovač kept his eyes fixed on Liverpool's attack without looking away.
The 35th minute.
"Firmino is chasing Süle!"
"He gives it to Kimmich, then switches it to Thiago. They keep passing!"
"The ball is back at Kimmich's feet!"
"Back to Neuer. Now no Liverpool player can press him anymore, because Bayern Munich have used their passing to pull apart every Liverpool player who could have pressed!"
Leo Lin did not dare press Neuer at that moment either. Otherwise, he would expose Liverpool's weaker positions.
Liverpool were suddenly forced to watch Neuer stop the ball, stand in the penalty area, and observe his teammates. Bayern began playing with far more composure.
"This is the highest passing accuracy I've seen from Bayern so far. They haven't made a single passing mistake yet. Süle and Hummels' distribution gives the Bayern players real confidence!"
"And that's not even mentioning the fact that their passing ability has always been extremely strong!"
"But Liverpool's sense of superiority is fading, and they absolutely cannot let that feeling disappear!"
"Liverpool's early knife-switching attack has now been smothered by Bayern!"
"The situation is very bad for Liverpool. Very bad!"
...
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