Bayern Munich are determined to break their mini winless streak today against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti dismissing any talk of a ‘crisis’. Bayern have drawn both of their German league games since losing 1-0 at Atletico Madrid three weeks ago and are three games without a win.
The Bundesliga leader’s 2-2 draw at 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday was branded ‘unacceptable’ by Munich’s chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, even with the team two points clear. Ancelotti had threatened changes for the Eindhoven match and admitted his team’s attitude in Frankfurt was poor.
But the Italian dismissed any talk of a ‘crisis’ amongst the Bavarian giants, which has been mentioned in the German media. “I have to be myself and I must be tougher from time to time,” said Ancelotti in yesterday’s press conference.
“I wasn’t happy in Frankfurt, I made that clear, but I don’t want to punish the players — I just want them to understand. It’s too early for the word ‘crisis’, which I am now hearing, we haven’t won our last three games, but we still played well.
“We aren’t magicians and we will have a different attitude against Eindhoven. Everyone has trained. I said after the Frankfurt game that the attitude wasn’t good, but we have to change our behaviour, not switch around players.”
Ancelotti has insisted the players sleep in the team hotel ahead of the Eindhoven match. “I already said before the season that we would gather in a hotel before special games. Tomorrow is a special game,” he said.
But Rummenigge has made it clear that the mini winless series must be broken. “We don’t need excuses, we have only ourselves to blame,” fumed the Bayern boss. “The way we played in the first half (in Frankfurt) is not Bayern Munich. You can’t turn in a display like that. We have to shift up a gear very quickly, or we’ll have problems in the Champions League on Wednesday.”
Germany defender Mats Hummels said they Bayern team has pulled together since the draw in Frankfurt. “We came together after the game and we are all of the opinion that we as players have to work at this, we have room for improvement,” said Hummels. “We’re not happy with the way we last played.” His captain, Philipp Lahm, agrees that Bayern must now bounce back against their Dutch opponents. “We have to get a grip. The Champions League is up on Wednesday and we absolutely must take three points,” said Lahm. “If you believe that less than 100 % will do, you risk losing tackles and control,” added the ex-Germany captain.
Bayern need a win to get their Champions League back on track after defeat in Madrid following their opening 5-0 rout of Russian side Rostov. Phillip Cocu’s Eindhoven are still looking for a first victory in Group D.
They lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in their opening game and drew 2-2 at Rostov three weeks ago when they twice came from behind. PSV have won only one of 18 matches in Germany against Bundesliga teams with four draws and 13 defeats.
Their solitary victory away to a German club was back in 1977. Eindhoven are fourth in the Dutch league and their only defeat in their first nine games was at the hands of leaders Feyenoord. Now Hummels says Bayern need a “good reaction” against the Dutch.
“We have an obligation to up the pace,” said the centre back. “We have to hit the gas from the very first minute and combine our individual quality with attitude and passion.”