Thomas Tuchel would like FC Bayern to have a six that thinks defensively first, a “holding six”. He’s not alone in that. About the new perception of a central position.
A few days ago, just before the game against FC Augsburg, Thomas Tuchel gave an interview. It was only a short conversation, but his sentences could still keep FC Bayern busy. “The ideal today is Josh and Leon and Konni from the bank”, said Tuchel. Josh, that was Joshua Kimmich, of course, Leon’s last name is Goretzka and Konni, that’s Konrad Laimer. All three, said Tuchel, are very similar in their interpretation of the role in defensive midfield. “That’s life as a coach. You play with the ones you have and push them to the limit.”
In the end, Bayern won 3-1, it was an unchallenged victory, which of course had to do with the new goalscorer Harry Kane. He scored twice. Bayern now have a center forward of stature again. Coach Tuchel, 50, will be very happy with this transfer. With the occupation of his defensive midfield he is not, at least not without reservation.
Kimmich and Goretzka occupied the two defensive positions in midfield against Augsburg, their strengths were clearly visible in this game. Kimmich had the most ball contacts, he played some nice passes and he also won duels. Goretzka did the same thing, and when he had possession of the ball he was always drawn in the direction of the opponent’s penalty area.
Tuchel is looking for the “Holding Six”
With their profile, both contribute to Bayern creating chances to score goals. But none embodies the kind of midfielder that Tuchel misses at Bayern. Laimer, who played just under 20 minutes against Augsburg and then also as a right-back, isn’t either.
Once, when the preparations were still going on and Bayern were touring through Asia, Tuchel said his team was missing a midfielder who primarily thinks defensively. One who is primarily concerned with structure and preventing goals. He does not find such a “Holding Six” in the squad.
Not everyone at Bayern agreed with him. Uli Hoeneß said in mid-July that he saw no need for it. He also believes Laimer can play the role. Tuchel obviously sees things differently. He would have liked to have convinced Declan Rice of a change, several media reported unanimously. But Rice preferred to move to Arsenal.
Rodri, Rice, Casemiro – bodyguards who are also strategists
With his desire for a “Holding Six”, Tuchel may be alone in Munich, but in top international football he is in the best of company. There are coaches who have already found their ideal solution for what is perhaps the most important position in modern football, such as Pep Guardiola. At Manchester City he trusts the Spaniard Rodri, without him the “Citizens” would not have won the treble.
Rodri’s winner in the Champions League final will be remembered for a long time, but it’s not the goals that define him. Rodri brings structure to City’s game, often winning the ball and rarely losing it. And his sense of space is impressive. He has the artists’ backs free.
Manchester City’s Rodri celebrates.
Mikkel Arteta now has a similar player at Arsenal FC. He’s building a new midfield around Rice there. In general, defensive midfielders, whose game is often only spectacular when it comes to the unspectacular, are currently in. They have signed Moisés Caicedo at Chelsea and they trust him to play the role of “Holding Six”. At FC Barcelona they rely on Oriol Romeu. Real Madrid signed Aurélien Tchouaménie for this position a year ago, and he’s indispensable now that coach Carlo Ancelotti has switched to a 4-4-2 with a diamond.
And Manchester United have Casemiro, for many years he was perhaps the best defensive midfielder in top-flight European football when he was still playing for Real Madrid. Most of the time he was seen in Madrid straddling, fighting and directing. It was his role. Others were responsible for the magic at Real. Luka Modric once called Casemiro that “best bodyguard in the world”.
Manchester United’s Casemiro celebrates.
Tuchel says: “Then nobody has a problem with it”
As different as the footballers Rodri, Rice or Casemiro may be, they have one thing in common: their football is not defined by last or penultimate passes, it often looks unspectacular and yet it is important for the structure of a team. There are players like the coach Thomas Tuchel misses in Munich.
After the win against Augsburg, Tuchel was sometimes asked about the “Holding Six”. Tuchel once said that he had never made any demands. Rather, it is one “numerical questionAfter all, there are only three defensive midfielders in the squad with Kimmich, Goretzka and Laimer. Ryan Gravenberch, a talented Dutchman with fine technique, sees Tuchel in a leading role. And so far he doesn’t seem to see him as a regular player anyway.
The transfer window in Germany closes on Friday (September 1st, 2023) at 6 p.m. Until then, Tuchel can hope that they will still fulfill his wish for a minder for the midfield. It doesn’t seem like he’s counting on it anymore. If it stayed with these players, said Tuchel, “then it stays that way. Then nobody has a problem with it.” The only question is whether that would be enough for Bayern, who would love to win more than just the championship.