Bayern delight Ancelotti
Coach happy after Germans bounce back from winless run in resounding fashion
BAYERN Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti said their 4-1 romp against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League was the reaction he was looking for after a threematch winless streak.
Bayern bounced back in emphatic style on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena with winger Arjen Robben in outstanding form.
Goals by Thomas Mueller and Joshua Kimmich put Bayern ahead before Luciano Narsingh netted for Eindhoven before the break.
But Bayern dominated the second-half with Robert Lewandowski putting them 3-1 up before Robben, who had set up two of their goals, added the fourth.
The German media had spoken of a ‘mini-crisis’ after Bayern’s Bundesliga draws with Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt in the wake of their 1-0 defeat at Champions League Group D leaders Atletico Madrid.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had branded their attitude in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Frankfurt as “unacceptable“, but Ancelotti was pleased with his side’s response against PSV.
“That was the reaction I expect from the team, the attitude was good, we learnt our lessons from Frankfurt,” said the Italian, who had won his first eight games in charge before the Madrid defeat.
“We very happy to have Manuel Neuer,” Ancelotti added after the Germany goalkeeper pulled off a string of good saves to deny Eindhoven’s attack.
Bayern face PSV away in a fortnight, then travel to face Russian side Rostov before hosting Atletico in their final group match on Dec 6 in a game likely to decide who wins the pool. PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery acknowledged that his team are not yet up to the standard expected of serious Champions League contenders despite their 3-0 win over Basel on Wednesday.
Goals from Angel Di Maria, Lucas and Edinson Cavani, with a late penalty, gave PSG an ultimately comfortable victory that keeps them on course to qualify for the last 16 from Group A.
Quarter-finalists in each of the last four seasons, the French champions will likely secure their place in the next round if they pick up a point when they face Basel again in Switzerland next month.
However, Emery knows they must improve upon what was a patchy performance against unlucky opponents
“We played well, but we have to give our best in the next few games to make sure we play Atletico for first place,” warned Ancelotti.
Robben said Bayern deserved the win, but need to build on the performance when the Bundesliga leaders return to domestic duty at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach tomorrow.
“We started very well, dominated straight away and put them under pressure,” said the Dutchman as Mueller and Kimmich both netted in the first 21 minutes.
“We didn’t hold them very well after we went 2-0 up and you have to always be careful.
“Eindhoven were dangerous two or three times, but they we got back on top and deserved to win.
“We knew we had to start well, and be aggressive and play with self-confidence at home, after our three games without a win.
“We should have scored more in the first half, perhaps that is our only criticism, and we have to keep playing well like this.
“It was nice to get the header, but it was down to the beatiful pass from Thiago, he deserves the credit,” added the 32-year-old added after scoring his first headed goal in the Champions League. to progress, leaving Basel to fight it out for third spot and a Europa League place with the Bulgarian club.
“Paris were clinical and we lacked luck when we hit the woodwork three times,” said the Swiss club’s coach Urs Fischer after seeing Michael Lang, Seydou Doumbia and Marek Suchy all strike the frame of the goal.
Renato Steffen was also denied by Alphonse Areola when clean through with the game still goalless.
“Football is not fair. I am very disappointed but I think when we look back on this game there will be a lot of positives,” he added.
“The team played well, but we leave empty-handed and that hurts.” AFP