Werder Bremen vs Bayern Munich - Ancelotti not expecting an easy ride

Posted Saturday, January 28, 2017 by PA

Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti expects a different Werder Bremen test to the one on his Bundesliga baptism.

Ancelotti made a sensational start to life in Germany as the Bundesliga champions dismantled Bremen 6-0 in August, with Robert Lewandowski scoring the first three of his 14 league goals this season.

Bayern are three points clear of second-placed RB Leipzig after six straight league wins, but Ancelotti is taking nothing for granted ahead of the trip to the Weserstadion.

"It was a good game," Ancelotti said of the season-opener at his pre-match press conference.

But he quickly added: "I think Bremen has changed. We're playing against another team."

Bayern have won 12 successive league games against Bremen - the last five seeing them score 22 times and without conceding a goal - and another victory would create a new German record.

No Bundesliga side has ever won as many consecutive matches against the same opponents.

And although Bayern are without injured trio Jerome Boateng, Arturo Vidal and Thiago Alcantara, the return of winger Kingsley Coman has added to Ancelotti's numerous attacking options.

"I am very satisfied with the training," said Ancelotti, who has Franck Ribery, Douglas Costa, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Lewandowski competing for forward places.

"I would like to let everyone play but that is impossible.

"The players are very professional, but I can simply not field all of them.

"It is always hard for me to put a player on the bench.

"Franck is currently in very good condition, Costa also, and I would like to give Kingsley some minutes.

"He cannot start, but he is a good option for us because he is back fit."

Bremen are three points above the relegation zone in 15th place and appear to be heading in the right direction.

Alexander Nouri took over in September and Bremen have lost only one of their last six games - last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund.

But veteran striker Claudio Pizarro, who scored over 100 goals in two spells at Bayern, felt Bremen came out of the game with a lot of credit after having goalkeeper Jaroslav Drobny red carded before half-time.

"We're the home side at the weekend and I think we can use that to our advantage and perform even better than we did against Dortmund," Pizarro told the official Bremen website.

"We showed a lot of character despite going a man down and we played some good football.

"Bayern are the clear favourites, but we could cause an upset."

Bremen, however, could be without captain Clemens Fritz (neck), while Drobny starts a three-match ban.

Aron Johannsson (calf), Florian Grillitsch (shoulder) and Philipp Bargfrede (Achilles) are also out.