Boateng accepts Sammer's criticism of Bayern

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has accepted club director Matthias Sammer's criticism for the way the side has performed since the appointment of Pep Guardiola.

Bayern secured a 2-0 victory against Hannover on Saturday to record its fourth victory out of five in the Bundesliga this season but, that did not prevent Sammer from slamming the players' effort. Boateng admits Die Roten have not reached the heights that saw them grab an unprecedented German treble under Jupp Heynckes last season.

"I think he’s right [to criticize]," Boateng told the club's official website. "Matthias Sammer doesn't say anything that isn't of value.

"I think the team has to accept the criticism, because we have a lot of games and need to concentrate on those."

Bayern begins the defense of its Champions League crown on Tuesday against CSKA Moscow. The German champion is in Group D alongside CSKA, Manchester City and Viktoria Plzen, but the 25-year-old says it is far too early to be talking about retaining the title, and, in the process, becoming the first club to do so.

"As always, we want to go as far as we can in the competition. It’s pivotal for us to make a good start," Boateng said. "We would of course love to be the first team to achieve it. However, we’re at the start of the season and can't afford to think that far yet.

"We take each game as it comes. At the moment it’s important to make a good start to the group phase."