5 areas where Bayern Munich have deteriorated under Carlo Ancelotti

Modified Jul 17, 2017 12:12 GMT

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 20: Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of FC Bayern Muenchen is seen during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and SC Freiburg at Allianz Arena on May 20, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images for MAN) — *Ancelotti has a lot to prove at Bayern Munich*

#3 Dominance in Germany has depleted

BEIJING, CHINA - JULY 18: Josep Guardiola, head coach of FC Bayern Muenchen talks to his player Thiago during the international friendly match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Valencia FC during the Audi Football Summit Beijing 2015 at National Stadium on July 18, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) — *Pep Guardiola guaranteed the team* *success*

Too many times last season, Ancelotti's Bayern side showed an element of vulnerability and weakness. This was a characteristic rarely witnessed under Pep Guardiola during his time in Munich. Ancelotti's side regularly struggled to secure a victory against teams where Munich's midfield was pressed high and became physical.

Bayern showed an element of lacklustre performances over the course of the season; meanwhile, their usual ruthless urgency seemed a thing of the past on too many occasions.

The rise of Red Bull Leipzig and TSG Hoffenheim last season meant the title challenge was far more competitive than any other season over the past three years. Before that, Guardiola's side had dominated the German league, quickly shrugging off the challenge of Borussia Dortmund and any other side.

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Now, that may not seem a difficult task, but Dortmund was far more superior than any other side last season and the ease in which they were dispatched for three years under Guardiola is yet to be replicated.

Edited by Staff Editor