Bayern Munich vs Hamburger - Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti to celebrate managerial milestone against Hamburg

Posted Friday, February 24, 2017 by PA

Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti will face his 1,000th career match as a manager when Hamburg visit the Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The Italian goes into the landmark fixture with his side five points clear at the top of the table as they look to get back to winning ways following a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin last time out.

He said at a press conference: "I'm very happy to be celebrating that milestone tomorrow.

"I can remember every game I've been in the dugout for. I still get excited ahead of every game."

The 57-year-old, who made his managerial debut at Reggiana in 1995 and has also coached Parma, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid, has won 590 of his 999 competitive matches as a manager.

But Ancelotti reckons his side will have their work cut out to make that 591 against a Hamburg team who look to have turned their season around.

The visitors have taken seven points from the last nine, including wins over high-flying RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, to pull away from the relegation zone, even if they still go into the 22nd round of fixtures only a point above the bottom three.

"They're a good side," Ancelotti said of Hamburg. "They have quick attackers. We will have to be at 100 per cent tomorrow."

Bayern have been boosted by the return to the squad of Franck Ribery after a thigh muscle problem, with Ancelotti confirming the French forward would start on the bench.

Xabi Alonso, however, will not be risked as he is not fully fit, the Italian said.

Hamburg face a DFB-Pokal quarter-final with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday, but boss Markus Gisdol dismissed any suggestion of resting players.

He said: "If the question is whether we protect players or give full throttle, then it has to be: Full throttle!

"We have the necessary courage to deliver a good game there."

But he is under no illusion how tough a task the visitors face, adding: "Bayern are an absolutely top team, the best in Germany."