Monchengladbach vs Bayern Munich - Ancelotti wants Bayern to put pressure

Posted Sunday, March 19, 2017 by PA

Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has urged his side to take advantage of any fatigue in the Borussia Monchengladbach ranks by flying out of the blocks on Sunday.

Gladbach go into the clash at home to the Bundesliga leaders on the back of a draining Europa League tie with Schalke on Thursday night, in which they surrendered a 2-0 lead to crash out on away goals.

Bayern boast a commanding lead at the top of the table and Ancelotti wants them to take another step towards the title by overpowering a potentially tired opponent.

"Perhaps it is an advantage - but only if we play with high intensity," the Italian, whose side have not played since last Saturday, said on whether Gladbach's mid-week exertions could benefit his team.

"We will try to play with this intensity for 90 minutes. As long as we play our game and play with speed, then we have a good chance."

Forward Thomas Muller added: "Gladbach have an intensive week behind them. I hope that we can take the positives from that. Our tank should be full. We will have our foot on the pedal."

Bayern, however, have found the going in Monchengladbach tough in the past, winning just two of their last nine Bundesliga games there, while they will be without Douglas Costa due to a knee injury and influential midfielder Arturo Vidal through suspension.

Gladbach boss Dieter Hecking has had to pick his side up quickly from their European disappointment, but hopes they can again cause problems for Bayern.

"In past seasons Gladbach has been an awkward game for Bayern and we want to be that again on Sunday, irrespective of how our squad looks," he said.

"We will obviously need a little bit of luck, something that has been missing from our last two games.

"But these things will tend to balance out over the course of a season."