Easy-going Ancelotti carries hopes

Nothing less than winning this season's Champions League is what is expected from Bayern Munich's head-coach, 57-year-old Carlo Ancelotti.

His tools: A world class squad, a unique personal record of having won the most important club competition in football three times as a coach and much more, his personal working style and reputation as the easiest coach in football.

When the German Champion faces the Russian side of FK Rostov in Group D at home this Tuesday evening, Ancelotti most likely won't get into difficulties. Opponents like Rostov, PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid shouldn't be a challenge Ancelotti and Bayern won't be able to manage. But the Italian top coach knows exactly what is required when it comes to what he calls "the tight games next spring time".

After three unsuccessful attempts with Spanish star coach Pep Guardiola in the last three years, desire at Bayern Munich to win the Champions League couldn't be bigger. It is Ancelotti's job to change things. Since his start in Munich 64 days ago, the Champions League has been brought up at every single press conference with the Italian. While Guardiola seemed to have certain problems with the pressure, Ancelotti appears to be someone who won't ever lose his temper.

His relaxed manner seems to be his most powerful weapon. "We might get into situations, where we come under pressure and can't get to grips with our opponents on the pitch. Then it will be extremely helpful to get tactical solutions from a coach that is easy going," Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels says. Bayern Munich club-boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge calls Ancelotti "the right coach at the right time at the right spot".

With his team squad having been upgraded by Portuguese midfielder and 2016 European Champion Renato Sanches (Benfica Lisbon) and Hummels (from Borussia Dortmund), Ancelotti has gently changed Bayern's style. In contrast to the Guardiola era, Bayern will be more expansive when going forward. After three years of obsessive possession football a la Guardiola, team and club in Munich seem to be ready for a change.

Change in his case means to be highly flexible with his own tactics. In 2014, when at Real Madrid, Ancelotti had to face Bayern Munich and control freak Guardiola.

"I knew it was impossible to prevent Bayern's incredible possession play, therefore we had to try something else," Ancelotti said. Real's patience and counter-attacks led to his side winning 4-0 in the second leg.

"I don't feel pressure, I am used to it," the Italian coach says. Despite the flood of questions regarding the expected Champions League triumph, Ancelotti avoids making promises.

"I don't know how I won the three titles in the Champions League. Maybe I was just lucky," Ancelotti says. At the core of his character is a special pattern. "I don't take myself that seriously," the former Italian international says. On top of his three Champions League titles as a coach (twice with AC Milan, once with Real Madrid), Ancelotti won the Champions League twice as a player (AC Milan).

Ancelotti can relies on a unique experience with top clubs as he worked with like Chelsea, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus Turin and Paris St. Germain. Former players talk with outstanding respect about their former coach as he never had serious problems with the top stars. At the same time, Ancelotti never seemed to have had problems with club owners and investors. In Munich for the first time he has to work with former football professional's managing the club.

Ancelotti regards the fact as being an advantage. "I have not had many discussions with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, because he knows exactly about the problems of a professional club. He was a player himself knowing about the emotions and feelings on the pitch. That is maybe the most significant difference compared to my former clubs," Ancelotti said.

Looking at the record of their opening games in the Champions League group phase Ancelotti can remain calm. In their 19 games to date, Bayern only lost three and have never been defeated by a Russian team. Bayern won all 12 of their last home games in the Champions League. "A good start again is inevitable for us as the next game will be in Madrid against Atletico," Bayern's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso says. As Bayern was eliminated against Atletico in last year's semifinal, the Spanish side seems to be the big rivals in Group D. "It will be hard as ever, but this year we want to make it to the final," Bayern defender Jerome Boateng says.

This season the European football association UEFA will increase the payment for the participating clubs (1,3189 billion Euros). Reaching the final and winning it can be worth up to 57,2 Million Euros. On top the clubs will receive additional money from a marketing-pool (507 million Euros).

Against Rostov, Ancelotti is expected to make one change in his team's starting eleven. Arturo Vidal is expected to replace Renato Sanches. Therefore Bayern most possibly will start with Manuel Neuer - Philipp Lahm, Javi Martinez, Mats Hummels, David Alaba - Xabi Alonso, Thiago, Arturo Vidal - Thomas Mueller, Franck Ribery - Robert Lewandowski. Endit