Alarm bells are ringing at FC Bayern München ahead of their last 16 DFB Cup tie against VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday (20:45 CET). Manuel Neuer is demanding a change for the German record champions in this match after two narrow away victories and a 1-1 draw against Schalke following the Christmas break. “It’s about the things that we were doing really well before,” said Neuer. “Our confident passing game, being able to move the ball quickly, making it difficult for the opposition, forcing them into losing their shape and creating chances.”
Fellow world champion Philipp Lahm also had some clear words for his teammates after making his 500th Bundesliga appearance. “The team has to realise that we cannot play the way we did in the last three games in the next few weeks, otherwise we’ll end up out of several competitions very quickly and all at once.”
Ancelotti staying calm
It is only Carlo Ancelotti that is not showing any frustration ahead of his side’s duel with the two cup winners from the past four years. “I’ve been on the sidelines for nearly 1000 games, criticism does not surprise me,” said the Italian. He also has no “concerns” about the important match against Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg’s form is also not a cause for concern given that there is also discontent at VfL. After a tricky 1-0 home win against Hamburg at the beginning of the year and subsequent defeats to FC Augsburg and 1. FC Köln, coach Valerien Ismael is under pressure.
Wolfsburg invested €33million in five new signings during the winter break, of which only Yunus Malli has made an appearance so far. Ismael has said this was down to tactics, with Frenchman Paul-Georges Ntep, who played well in the first few matches, finding himself back on the bench for now due to Ismael’s 3-5-2 system, where €12million signing Riechedley Bazoer has also been sat for all three matches since the return of the Bundesliga after the winter break. Ismael did not want to reveal whether he will make any changes to the team in Munich.
Bayern rather than Wolfsburg on their way to the title again?
Ancelotti would also not reveal the nature of his line-up for tonight’s clash. “I still haven’t decided on the formation. A few players might need a break,” said the Bayern coach on Monday. Joshua Kimmich and Thiago are fit again and ready to play, so it is just Jerome Boateng and Frank Ribery that are definite to miss the cup game with Wolfsburg.
Bayern have a perfect record against Wolfsburg in the competition. Bayern beat the Wolves in the semi-final in 2008 and 2013 en route to winning the title, while they also beat VfL 3-1 in October 2015 in the second round, going on to lift the trophy once again.
Alarm bells are ringing at FC Bayern München ahead of their last 16 DFB Cup tie against VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday (20:45 CET). Manuel Neuer is demanding a change for the German record champions in this match after two narrow away victories and a 1-1 draw against Schalke following the Christmas break. “It’s about the things that we were doing really well before,” said Neuer. “Our confident passing game, being able to move the ball quickly, making it difficult for the opposition, forcing them into losing their shape and creating chances.”
Fellow world champion Philipp Lahm also had some clear words for his teammates after making his 500th Bundesliga appearance. “The team has to realise that we cannot play the way we did in the last three games in the next few weeks, otherwise we’ll end up out of several competitions very quickly and all at once.”
Ancelotti staying calm
It is only Carlo Ancelotti that is not showing any frustration ahead of his side’s duel with the two cup winners from the past four years. “I’ve been on the sidelines for nearly 1000 games, criticism does not surprise me,” said the Italian. He also has no “concerns” about the important match against Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg’s form is also not a cause for concern given that there is also discontent at VfL. After a tricky 1-0 home win against Hamburg at the beginning of the year and subsequent defeats to FC Augsburg and 1. FC Köln, coach Valerien Ismael is under pressure.
Wolfsburg invested €33million in five new signings during the winter break, of which only Yunus Malli has made an appearance so far. Ismael has said this was down to tactics, with Frenchman Paul-Georges Ntep, who played well in the first few matches, finding himself back on the bench for now due to Ismael’s 3-5-2 system, where €12million signing Riechedley Bazoer has also been sat for all three matches since the return of the Bundesliga after the winter break. Ismael did not want to reveal whether he will make any changes to the team in Munich.
Bayern rather than Wolfsburg on their way to the title again?
Ancelotti would also not reveal the nature of his line-up for tonight’s clash. “I still haven’t decided on the formation. A few players might need a break,” said the Bayern coach on Monday. Joshua Kimmich and Thiago are fit again and ready to play, so it is just Jerome Boateng and Frank Ribery that are definite to miss the cup game with Wolfsburg.
Bayern have a perfect record against Wolfsburg in the competition. Bayern beat the Wolves in the semi-final in 2008 and 2013 en route to winning the title, while they also beat VfL 3-1 in October 2015 in the second round, going on to lift the trophy once again.