Bundesliga Matchday 8: Tactical Insights and Standout Performances
The Bundesliga produced another round packed with excitement on Matchday 8, delivering a blend of surprising results, tactical variety, and eye-catching goals. Bayern Munich delivered a ruthless demolition of Bayer Leverkusen, Union Berlin continued their impressive run with a win over Wolfsburg, while Freiburg’s resurgence saw them take points off Leipzig. Below, we break down key tactical themes and decisive moments from the most significant fixtures of the weekend.
Bayern Munich’s Tactical Masterclass in Leverkusen
Bayern Munich extended their potent attacking form with a dominant 5-1 win away at Bayer Leverkusen. Now up to 29 goals in eight league matches, Julian Nagelsmann’s side demonstrated clinical finishing and tactical excellence in all phases of play.
Building up from the back, Bayern often adopted a 3+1 setup using both central defenders, the right-back, and Joshua Kimmich as the anchor in midfield. This allowed other attacking players significant freedom, with key roles for Thomas Müller—who operated high and wide on the right—and Serge Gnabry, who frequently moved inside to create central overloads. Leroy Sané’s preference for cutting inside opened the left flank for Alphonso Davies, whose energetic overlapping runs stretched Leverkusen’s defensive block.
Bayern generally kept their build-up patient and composed, focusing on precision movement and diverse attacking runs—including smart underlapping and overlapping sequences designed to unbalance Leverkusen’s marking schemes. The result was a first-half barrage that put the outcome beyond doubt.
Leverkusen managed to show improvement in possession during the second half, especially via their left side as they exploited Niklas Süle’s deeper position compared to the attacking thrust of Davies. Kerem Demirbay and Florian Wirtz orchestrated some promising build-up, with the highlight being Wirtz’s incisive pass to set up Patrik Schick. Ultimately, Leverkusen could not match Bayern’s quality and depth, underlining the Bavarians’ dominance.
Borussia Dortmund’s Attacking Balance Secures Victory over Mainz
Despite a somewhat inconsistent start under Marco Rose, Borussia Dortmund remain close to the top of the table, boosted by a 3-1 victory over Mainz. Their ability to “win ugly” has proven valuable with other expected contenders failing to impress.
Dortmund set up in a flexible 4-1-4-1 system, allowing Julian Brandt and Marco Reus to interchange central and wide roles. Emre Can provided the defensive foundation in midfield, freeing Jude Bellingham and Reus to support Erling Haaland, who returned with a decisive two-goal performance. Haaland’s sharp movement and finishing made the difference up top.
Brandt regularly drifted into the right half-space, combining with right-back Thomas Meunier, who was given the license to overlap and provide quality deliveries—including the cross for Reus’s opening goal. Donyell Malen supplied width on the left, consistently challenging Mainz’s fullback with direct running.
Mainz retained their established 3-4-1-2 formation, shifting into a 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2 shape during high pressing situations. Although this press caused Dortmund problems—leading to a goal from their intense pressure—they ultimately struggled to generate sustained attacking momentum from their limited time on the ball. Dortmund, while still settling into Rose’s preferred structure, took another step toward consistency.
Union Berlin’s Rapid Transitions Expose Wolfsburg
Union Berlin climbed to fifth in the table with an impressive 2-0 win over a Wolfsburg side enduring a tough spell, now with just one win in seven matches.
Deploying their customary 3-5-2 formation, Union Berlin focused on compactness in midfield, applying man-to-man pressure rather than collective pressing traps. While ceding possession to Wolfsburg (39% to 61%), they showed remarkable efficiency on the counterattack. Quick transitions saw multiple players surging forward, exploiting spaces in Wolfsburg’s stretched defensive line.
Union’s disciplined defensive structure was matched by dynamic forward movement upon recovering the ball, enabling them to take advantage of Wolfsburg’s vulnerability in transition. Their attack often featured several runners sprinting directly towards goal, facilitating clear goalscoring opportunities.
For Wolfsburg, struggles in front of goal were evident—they failed to convert any of their 13 attempts and only grew more coherent after the introduction of target man Wout Weghorst. Attempts to exploit Lukas Nmecha’s pace with long balls yielded a few close calls, including a shot that struck the woodwork, but did not alter the result. Defensive frailties, particularly in covering Union’s counterattacks, highlighted a need for Wolfsburg to reestablish stability—especially with Maxence Lacroix absent.
Freiburg Hold Firm Against Leipzig in a Battle of Contrasts
Freiburg continued their remarkable campaign by holding RB Leipzig to a 1-1 draw—a match that defied pre-game expectations. Leipzig, typically dominant in possession, lined up in a fluid 4-2-3-1, at times shifting to a 4-2-2-2, with Dominik Szoboszlai given a creative central role alongside Emil Forsberg.
Build-up from the back occasionally took on a 3+2 shape as Josko Gvardiol advanced wide on the left, and Lukas Klostermann tucked in. However, Leipzig showed a lack of right-sided balance, leaving them exposed in transitions and failing to contain Freiburg’s main offensive threats down the left flank.
Freiburg, operating in a 3-4-3 that morphed into a 3-4-1-2 off the ball, concentrated their attacking efforts through Christian Günter and Vincenzo Grifo. Günter consistently overlapped on the left, combining with Grifo and Woo-Yeong Jeong to overload Leipzig’s weakened right side, producing a stream of dangerous crosses and creative opportunities.
Notably, Freiburg enjoyed the majority of possession (53%), and maintained an assertive approach seldom associated with their counterattacking identity. Defensive discipline and rapid transitions allowed Streich’s team to both limit Leipzig’s build-up and create frequent chances, though a superb performance from Peter Gulacsi denied Freiburg a deserved win.
Conclusion: Bundesliga’s Tactical Variety on Full Display
Matchday 8 highlighted the tactical diversity and depth that typifies the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich’s relentless attack, Dortmund’s evolving system under Rose, Union Berlin’s counterattacking brilliance, and Freiburg’s adventurous style against a struggling Leipzig all underscored the intrigue and unpredictability of Germany’s top flight. As the table tightens, form and tactical ingenuity will play a central role in shaping the next phase of the season.
