By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Niko Kovac has more tactical options than in his first year with the ruling German Champion Bayern Munich. But fans and pundits' are currently debating a decisive question: Is this new flexibility a curse or a blessing?
For the 2019/2020 season the first severe challenge against Bundesliga leaders Rasenballsport Leipzig in on this Saturday and the answer seems obvious. It is Kovac's chance to satisfy the club's demand to win a significant international title such as the Champions League.
The national league appears like a testing ground for the 47-year-old former midfielder. The issue though contains the problem Kovac has to secure Bayern's progress in the Champions League and the Bundesliga at the same time.
To only be successful in one of the competitions doesn't seem enough.
With their curtain-raiser in the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade waiting next week the clinch against Leipzig might deliver first hints of how Kovac is going to handle the task.
In advance of the German league's top event, this weekend has the Munich coach said his Bavarian outfits are ready to carry out several tactical systems.
"It is not the case that only others have developed. We have improved and joined the teams able to change tactical systems within a game," Kovac commented.
The Bayern coach seems to have revealed, to address modern football requirements, tactical variety is a must.
Last season one of the main criticisms Kovac had to face was his tactical stubbornness aside of the fact he couldn't find answers when facing Premier League side Liverpool FC in the last-16 round of the Champions League's knock-out stage.
The former Croatian national coach is aware the club's leaders expect solutions regarding the team's international performance.
The duel against Leipzig is his first stress-test as RB gained additional tactical inspiration since 32-year-old Julian Nagelsmann took over.
"In today's football, you can't predict what your opponents' approach will be. You might start with something you have to change, and you end up differently," Kovac emphasized.
Happy about the club's new faces delivering more quality Kovac has to keep his stars' mood in balance.
To find better solutions the Munich coach reinstalled the so-called team council appointing established players such as Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Robert Lewandowski (the team's three captains), David Alaba, Joshua Kimmich and Thiago Alcantara.
Ahead of the crucial duel taking place in the Eastern German side's arena this Saturday, Kovac is puzzling over his line-up. The main issue seems to be deciding if Brazilian star Coutinho is going to begin or Mueller?
When Corentin Tolisso and Leon Goretzka return to best shape Kovac's option's in midfield, and his front line seems endless with Kingsley Coman, Thiago, Javi Martinez, Kimmich, Mueller, Gnabry, and Coutinho around.
Other than last season, it is expected that Kovac will count on an increasing rotation system depending on the chosen tactics.
Kovac seems aware to only work with long balls against a solid defense isn't a suitable recipe providing success. "We still have a team looking for more advanced solutions and a great amount of ball-possession," he commented.
