Looking at Bayern Munich's win & their 4-2-3-1 formation

The winning goal struck by Arjen Robben that gave Bayern Munich its fifth European Champions League trophy was equal parts broken play and an act of desperation.

First of all, that long ball from Jerome Boateng was on the money to midfielder Franck Ribery.

Ribery’s backheel was intended for attacking midfielder Thomas Muller but the ball was blocked a bit. Fortunately, Robben who plays the right side of Bayern Munich’s 4-2-3-1 formation dashed in from the middle and broke free from three Borussia Dortmund players in Likasz Piszczek, (then a tackle from) Mats Hummels, and Neven Subotic. That drew out keeper Roman Weidenfeller and Robben, who now had Muller on his left and one stride back as an option waited for a split second for what the Dortmund keeper would do.

It seems like an easy shot but remember, Robben is left-footed and when he fired, it was a slot that didn’t have too much power but was sufficient enough to roll right through.

It is sweet vindication for Robben who also assisted on Mario Mandzukic’s opening goal for Bayern Munich. In last year’s UEFA Champions League Final AT HOME AT THE ALLIANZ ARENA, Robben missed a penalty that would have won it outright for Bayern.

He had several chances again in this match and at the half, Bayern President Franz Beckenbauer lamented about the Dutchman, “Evidently, in big games, he just can’t score.”

Well, he did. And now, Bayern Munich are the champions of Europe for the fifth time. What also made this season special is how Bayern played team ball in their dynamic version of 4-2-3-1.

Here’s Bayern’s formation:

Neuer

Lahm    Boateng    Dante    Alaba

Martinez   Schweinsteiger

Robben    Muller    Ribery

Mandzukic

That is some creative midfield they have.

Robben – 5 assists

Muller – 11 assists

Ribery – 14 assists

Along with captain and defender Philip Lahm (11 assists), Bayern Munich has the top three assist men in the Bundesliga.

And there’s Toni Kroos with eight assists.

Because of their highly creative players, Bayern led the Bundesliga this season with 98 goals (they only conceded 18 goals; a league best). That’s 17 more goals than Borussia Dortmund.

And they continued that form in the Champions League.

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Read this on Arjen Robben's redemption from ESPN Soccernet.