Ancelotti hails Bayern’s ‘best’ first-half display

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed the Bundesliga leader’s first-half performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach as its most impressive of the season.

First-half goals by Bayern’s Chile and Brazil internationals gave Ancelotti’s Munich its first win in three matches in Germany’s top flight after draws against Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt.

The result at Munich’s Allianz Arena capped a good week for Bayern, who enjoyed a 4-1 romp against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“We’ve learned from Frankfurt,” said Ancelotti after his side twice threw away the lead in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.

“In the first half, it was a really good display, our best this season with a lot of intensity.

“We played a good game, we were strong in defence and had good control.

“I told the players at halftime to be careful, as nothing was decided, and you could see the energy wasn’t 100 percent after our midweek game.

“They are intelligent players and have taken on board what I told them.”

Ancelotti rested Germany forward Thomas Mueller from the starting lineup, but after Robert Lewandowski hit the post early on, Bayern went ahead after 16 minutes when Chile’s Vidal headed home Rafinha’s cross.

Winger Costa’s 31st-minute shot doubled the lead at Munich’s Allianz Arena, while Gladbach’s best chance came when winger Andre Hahn hit the post on 71 minutes.

The visitors produced only one shot on target in the opening period against undefeated Bayern’s 12.