Guardiola: Bayern slog proves Bundesliga is strong

Posted Sunday, September 15, 2013 by Goal.com

The Bavarians found life tough against their spirited visitors in the 2-0 win, while Franck Ribery and Toni Kroos gave their reaction to the win

Pep Guardiola believes Bayern Munich's laboured 2-0 win over underdogs Hannover on Saturday proves the strength-in-depth in the Bundesliga.

Goals from Mario Manzukic and Franck Ribery secured the win to get the Bavarians back on track after dropping points in their last game - a 1-1 draw with Freiburg - but only after a goalless first half.

However, Guardiola was unconcerned with how his men were made to slog for the result and praised the team for raising their game subsequently.

"All the teams in the Bundesliga are very, very good, as Hannover proved today," began the 42-year-old to reporters after the match.

"We were a little risk-averse in the first half. In the second half, we played better after the opening goal from Mario Mandzukic.

"Now we’re looking forward to the Champions League."

Ribery and Toni Kroos cited their early troubles as originating from the recent international break, but nevertheless underlined Bayern ultimately deserved victory.

"We didn’t do very well in the first half. It's always difficult after an international break. It was a lot better in the second half," Ribery said.

"We knew we had to shift up a gear in the second half. It's what we swore to do and we did it successfully. We deserved the win by the end," Kroos said.

The result ensures the German champions sit two points behind Borussia Dortmund - who subsequently won 6-2 at home to Hamburg - in the Bundesliga table before Tuesday's Champions League opener with CSKA Moscow.