Perhaps suggesting that the rails are coming off at Bayern is a strong claim to start with considering Bayern Munich are the current German Champions, but judging by their recent form, they seem to be off their game.
Bayern have gained one point from a possible six in their previous two games; admittedly, the Bavarian giants have come against an impressive Hoffenheim side, and the ever dangerous Borussia Dortmund but the club’s fans expect so much of their side that they cannot afford to slip up twice in a row.
There were always going to be big shoes to fill following the departure of Pep Guardiola, who had guided Bayern to three consecutive German titles, but Bayern made the decision to appoint the experienced Carlo Ancelotti to help guide them to more success.
The ambition is evident; Munich want to win it all, and that includes the elusive Champions League title, which Guardiola craved so much but never won during his stint at Bayern. Thus; who better than ex-AC Milan and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to bring European success to the Allianz?
Ancelotti is the only manager to have won three Champions League titles and reach the final of the illustrious competition on four occasions. Carlo is a proven winner and strives to get the best out of his players, but in recent weeks this has not been the case for Bayern.
Ancelotti has integrated a new system to Bayern’s dominant style of play and wants his team to buy into a new philosophy, despite the Bavarian giants coming off a record-breaking year. This has affected the players; they lack the self-confidence that they had under Guardiola, to pass teams off the park, to work as a unit in the midfield and more importantly to establish a winning attitude.
Bayern Munich have been in relatively fine form this season, but in the 2015-16 season, they did not drop a single point until the 30th October in a 0-0 draw with Frankfurt. Their first loss came against Borussia Mönchengladbach in a 3-1 defeat in December, the Bavarian giants then went on to lose just one more league game that during the entire campaign.
In comparison to this term; Munich dropped their first points just six games into the season against Cologne and the week after against Frankfurt, as they drew 1-1 and 2-2 respectively.
Under Guardiola, Bayern was unstoppable, Ancelotti, though, has changed how they play to suit him. Players do not like change, and it is starting to show at Munich.
Munich has since dropped down to 2nd place this week following the loss to Dortmund hence the gaffer will be keen on getting his team back on track.
The usually potent Thomas Müller has looked ineffective on the flanks, and the goals have dried up, as he still searches for his first goal in the Bundesliga this term.
Tricky wide-man Douglas Costa has been far too inconsistent to justify a place in the starting line-up. This leaves Ancelotti to rely on Arjen Robben, who is nearly 33 years old.
Bayern Munich lost against Atlético Madrid, in their first Champions League game and now they have been left disheartened following the defeat to arch rivals Dortmund. This all but confirms that Munich has lost some of their big game mentality under Ancelotti and need to find it rapidly because they have fallen behind RB Leipzig, in the fight for the Bundesliga.
