Bayern Munich’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti desperately needs a victory in the German Super Cup duel when facing their national rival Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening in Dortmund when the 2017 German Champion (Bayern) crosses swords with the 2017 Cup winner.
After only one victory in six preparation games against international opponents such as Arsenal, Inter and AC Milan, Liverpool and Naples and a disappointing goal record of 4-14, the 58-year-old Italian star coach is under enormous pressure. If he can’t manage to deliver victories, Ancelotti is in danger to lose his job.
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called it an urgent matter to win the next games. All in the club are concerned and unhappy about the latest development. He hopes coach Ancelotti will find the right solution soon and get back to success, Rummenigge stressed.
After the Bavarians had ended up last in their home tournament, the Audi Cup, the team was booed off the pitch by 60,000 frustrated spectators. Bayern was far from their best lineup as Ancelotti gave several of his stars a break after a stressful Asia tour.
The Munich based “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” assumed Bayern has lost their game system and can’t find the appropriate answers. The Berlin based tabloid “Bild” concluded Bayern had provided the most disappointing season preparation phase in the club’s history. Bayern is missing a leader pundits assume.
Bayern’s new sports director and former professional Hasan Salihamidzic indicated the club is considering doing an additional transfer to get problems solved. Until the transfer window in Germany will be closed at the end of August at least one new player would be possible, Salihamidzic told German media.
A possible candidate could be German international Julian Draxler who currently plays for French side Paris St. Germain. After the 222-million Euro transfer of Neymar, PSG is said having to earn money out of transfers.
After having won 18 titles in 14 years in leading European football nations such as Italy, Spain, England and Germany, Ancelotti asked officials and fans to stay calm. Nobody is happy currently he said, but when he sees things right, the official games of the new season haven’t started yet. The season, Ancelotti stressed, will start this Saturday with the important games against Borussia Dortmund.
Ancelotti insisted the team is stronger than last season. But all in the club should forget about the past and look forward to the 2017/2018 season kick-off. The game in Dortmund will be a major stress-test for the Munich coach. Despite the concern, Ancelotti says he feels no pressure. In advance of every season interest is growing Ancelotti emphasized. “I meanwhile would be dead, if I always react to that,” the Italian said.
Bayern obviously is still suffering from the loss of former team-captain Philipp Lahm, and Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso as the teams’ game structure is entirely out of balance. But club president Uli Hoeness said the biggest problem is a lack of passion and will when the team is on the pitch. He soon expects more effort he said. And like Rummenigge he expects answers from coach Ancelotti.
Usually, the German Super Cup is seen as an additional test game. This time the duel goes beyond a prestige like case. This year the Super Cup is an overall important game Bayern defender Mats Hummels stressed. He insisted the team must focus on that match. “We have received several warning shots already,” Hummels emphasized.
To receive warning shots is nothing bad the German international said, but his side has been given enough meanwhile. It is the wrong attitude to relate the stressful Asia tour for the current problems. The team has to overthink its general approach.
Currently, Ancelotti seems to be as calm as ever, when standing next to the sideline in some football arena chewing gums with his arms in front of his breast. But the star coach as well is aware he might be facing an especially hard challenge moderating his new team without the experience of Lahm and Alonso. Some doubt he will manage as he is not known as a team developer.
His key figure Thiago lately had problems due to a muscle injury. The team newcomers such as Corentin Tolisso (22) and James Rodriguez (26) still need time to adapt to their new teams game. In midfield, Bayern lacks a suitable organization to drive their games forward. When under attack the team can’t find answers to their opponent. It will be on Ancelotti in the first place to deliver solutions – starting with the game against Dortmund.