Bayern Munich vs Augsburg - Ancelotti urges Bayern to focus on Augsburg clash

Posted Saturday, April 01, 2017 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti insists minds must not stray towards next month's Champions League clash with Real Madrid as they bid to end the Bundesliga season in style.

Bayern head into Saturday's Bavarian derby against relegation-threatened Augsburg on the back of a 20-game unbeaten streak and holding an almost unassailable 13-point lead over second placed RB Leipzig.

But Ancelotti is adamant there will be no complacency, particularly as Saturday's opponents go into the game scrapping for points to preserve their top-flight status.

Ancelotti told a press conference: "The best preparation for the games against Real Madrid is to always be focused on the next game. I am only thinking about playing against Augsburg.

"It is important because you get self-confidence after victories and good performances. My players are professional and I am sure they will put on a good performance.

"Augsburg will play very intensively and we have got to be ready for it. Their defensive organisation is very good and they will play on the counter-attack, so we have to be careful."

Bayern will be without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who has had an operation on an injured toe and will be replaced by Sven Ulreich. Douglas Costa is injured and both Xabi Alonso and Javi Martinez are suspended.

Augsburg boss Manuel Baum insists the absence of Neuer will be of no particular advantage to his side as they look to claim an improbable first league win in three games.

A 1-1 home draw with Freiburg before the international break left Baum's men sitting two points and two places above the relegation zone but with a promising run of fixtures after this weekend.

Baum, who insisted his side will "play with bravery - we will fight, scratch and bite", admitted: "Bayern still have two or three proven goalkeepers behind Manuel Neuer."

To add to the size of Augsburg's task, they are expected to be without Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, Raphael Framberger, Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, Caiuby and the suspended Ja-Cheol Koo.