Carlo Ancelotti demands Bayern Munich respond to setbacks by winning title

Posted Friday, April 28, 2017 by PA

Carlo Ancelotti has urged his Bayern Munich side to "show a good response" to their recent setbacks as they aim to wrap up another Bundesliga title with victory at Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Bayern will take the crown if second-placed RB Leipzig fail to pick up three points in their afternoon kick-off and Ancelotti's men go on to triumph at the Volkswagen Arena. If the gap widens to nine points following the day's matches, they will be all but assured of the championship due to goal difference.

But pressure is mounting on Ancelotti after a run of five games without a win, including crashing out of the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal to Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

The Italian received a vote of confidence from chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge this weekend and on Friday admitted in his pre-match press conference: "It's a difficult situation and we need to show a good response and try to win the Bundesliga as quickly as possible.

"I understand the criticism and I have to live with it, but I just have to keep cool, analyse and carry on."

Ancelotti went on to reject media claims that some players have expressed criticism of his training methods, insisting: "That is not true - the players are satisfied and they have not spoken negatively."

Bayern will give late fitness tests to Mats Hummels, David Alaba and Jerome Boateng all of whom are struggling to be fit for the trip.

Wolfsburg have issues of their own as they go into the game just one point above the relegation zone following their defeat to Hertha Berlin.

Boss Andries Jonker, who watched Bayern's cup loss to Dortmund, told the club website: "We have to be brave and attack Bayern, play football and be clinical. The fact is that Bayern could have won all of their recent games - they're as good as ever."

Jonker was briefly the caretaker boss in Bavaria, taking over from Louis van Gaal for several months in 2011, and the Dutchman added: "I always look forward to games against my former clubs. It's a really special game for me, but for the team and our club, it's just one of the seventeen other Bundesliga clubs.

"It doesn't matter to me whether I am playing against a team coached by (Leipzig head coach) Ralph Hasenhuttl or Carlo Ancelotti - that makes no difference. The significant issue is that we have the opportunity to take three points."