5 Ways Pep Guardiola Can Restore Bayern Munich's Defensive Steel

If there is one attribute any champion must have, it is a solid defense. The truism that defense wins championships is especially true in the Champions League.

Bayern Munich's treble-winning campaign last year was defined by a record-setting back line, and Atletico Madrid this season have reached the final by conceding the fewest goals in the competition.

For all the progress Bayern have made under Pep Guardiola this season, in terms of their offensive performances in the league and Europe, one thing was abundantly clear in the second leg against Real Madrid: Bayern's defense has taken a step back compared to last year.

Real Madrid did really well to exploit Bayern on the counterattack as well as on set pieces, but the disorganization and sloppiness at the back made it easier for them to do it.

Guardiola admitted after the game that his team needed to do better with the ball and it is not only the Madrid game. Their defensive performances have been slipping in the league as well in the last month.

The priority for Guardiola in the summer will have to be the defense. Bayern have to find a balance between Guardiola's attacking football while maintaining the discipline and the organization that made them near impossible to beat last season.

There are several steps Guardiola can take to restore that balance as Bayern look to put their disappointing Champions League exit behind them.

Scale Back the Attack

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Part of Guardiola's attacking philosophy requires all players to get involved in the attack—even defenders. Not just the full-backs but centre-backs as well. 

The collective offensive push forward has disrupted the balance in Bayern's overall play and left them vulnerable, particularly against sides that are effective on the counterattack like Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

Part of Guardiola's defensive restructuring may require him to scale back the team's offensive inclination—at least in the short term. 

The centre-backs have been asked to play almost at the halfway line under Guardiola, and as a result, they have left ample space behind them for teams to exploit. Progress may mean having to play five to 10 yards back.

Similarly, if Ribery and Robben maintain their place in the starting lineup and Bayern retain the focus on their wide play, the full-backs may have to do the same and play further back: if anything, to ensure they are not a step behind teams that are quick on the counter.

Whether Guardiola is willing to be flexible on his philosophy remains to be seen, of course. But progress also means stability first. In Bayern's case, a return to some of Jupp Heynckes' ideas could be beneficial. 

Improve Set-Piece Defending

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

If there has been one universal attribute for German teams over the years, it has been their vulnerability on set pieces. The Real Madrid game showed that this is an area in which Bayern can still improve, despite a very good record recently.

Guardiola was right when he was asked about Bayern's set-piece defending after the game. They have conceded fewer goals from that situation than any other side in the league this season, and before the Madrid game, it was not much of an issue.

Guardiola also underlined that if a team plays poorly overall, their focus will slip in any other area—and he is right. Part of the poor marking on Ramos' two goals was down to a lack of collective focus and organization.

However, this was not the first time set pieces have cost Bayern in a big game. Two years back, Didier Drogba and Chelsea exposed Bayern the same way in the Champions League final. The drop in focus allowed Chelsea back into the game and eventually to the trophy.

Bayern need to condition themselves and not let their concentration slip when it matters most. Whereas teams in Germany can improve their set pieces, the Champions League is filled with sides that are just as threatening in dead-ball situations as they are in open play, and Bayern have to be ready for it.

Pep Must Help Dante Rediscover His Form

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

It can be argued that Dante was Europe's most consistent centre-back last season as Bayern stormed through every competition. The Brazilian was outstanding from start to finish in his first season with the club and also gained a spot on the Brazilian national team as a result.

This season, however, the 30-year-old has dropped off noticeably. He has had some great games similar to last season but mixed in have also been moments of lapses in concentration and a lack of the confidence he showed last year.

Guardiola's tactical changes and new instructions have surely played a part in this, and his partner, Jerome Boateng, has also experienced similar moments. But Dante's drop-off has been especially noticeable and has affected the team's defensive stability.

Guardiola has to find a way to help Dante regain the confidence and form he showed last year in order to stabilize the defense. Similar to how he worked with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol at Barcelona, Guardiola must be patient with Dante and trust that he will bounce back stronger than ever next year.

Reassign Javi Martinez

Gabriel Pecot/Associated Press

When Javier Mascherano came to Barcelona, he was a defensive midfielder. Guardiola turned him into a centre-back, and with it, he created one of the best defenses in Europe.

With Bayern's defensive struggles and Dante and Boateng not playing at their best, Guardiola could very well do the same with Javi Martinez.

The Spanish midfielder has been somewhat of a utility player this season, filling in at centre-back and in midfield when necessary. Neither helped him find the form he showed last season. In a sense, Guardiola's tactical changes have isolated Javi and left no room for him—not in midfield anyways.

Martinez is a great tackler and reader of the game and would go a long way in stabilizing Bayern's shaky defense. It would mean more consistent playing time and potentially avoiding having to spend big to bring in further reinforcements.

Bring in Reinforcements

Petr David Josek/Associated Press

Of course, the easiest, or certainly the most impulsive, way to react to any squad issues is to supplement it with additional players. 

Bayern have had no shortage of defenders linked with them amid their defensive woes this season. Everyone from David Luiz, Inigo Martinez, Aymeric Laporte, Mehdi Benatia and Matthias Ginter have been linked with a move to the club, and Bayern may take the plunge on one of them.

Holger Badstuber's uncertain recovery coupled with Dante's age and Daniel van Buyten's and Jan Kirchhoff's potential departure leaves room for an additional defender. 

Luiz's ball-playing skills and versatility could be an ideal fit for Bayern. Or Bayern could go with a cheaper, younger option like Athletic Bilbao's up-and-coming Laporte.

Either way, if Bayern are going to be active in the transfer market this summer, it will be for a central defender that will give Guardiola more options and the team greater stability across the back. 

Follow Cristian on Twitter @cnyari