Carlo Ancelotti comes to Bruno Labbadia's defense before Bayern's Hamburg clash

After securing just one point from Hamburg's first four games, Bruno Labbadia faces a crucial test when his side welcomes Bayern Munich this weekend. But he will have one person in his corner: Carlo Ancelotti.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday, the first-year Bayern coach supported his peer. Ancelotti has been sacked three times himself in his career, by Parma in 1998, Chelsea in 2011 and Real Madrid in 2015. "I know the pressure that we have, so I am always on the side of managers," he said.

Labbadia saved Hamburg from relegation two seasons ago after taking over for Josef Zinnbauer, winning the Relegation playoff against Karlsruhe. The former Bayern forward then brought the Dino all the way up to 10th last season.

Hamburg's three straight losses have now put him on the hot seat. Hamburg have been linked to current and former Hoffenheim coaches Julian Nagelsmann and Markus Gisdol in the last few days, though Nagelsmann has already denied the rumors.

With the form Bayern are in - seven wins from seven, one goal allowed - many expect Hamburg to have their hands full on Saturday. Ancelotti said the opposite could happen. "The trainer is under pressure. That is normal. Maybe the team is strong for this reason."