Carlo Ancelotti confident heading into Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga opener

Carlo Ancelotti is full of confidence ahead of Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga opener against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday. Despite a handful of injuries currently hampering the squad and a thoroughly disappointing preseason campaign, the Bayern boss believes his side are in a “good rhythm” going into Friday’s encounter.

Speaking to FC Bayern TV via FourFourTwo, Ancelotti expressed his confidence despite the poor preseason run:

Our pre-season wasn't easy. When we started, we had many players on holiday, so it was difficult to be ready for the Asia tour. We lost friendlies, but now - following wins in the cup and Supercup against Dortmund - everything is under control. We're in a good rhythm right now.

Ancelotti’s comments come just two days after he was the subject of criticism from ex Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, who’s never been one to shy away from asking questions of his former club. Kahn was quite critical of the fact that the club have not made any marquee signings, in his opinion over the summer transfer window to bolster their fortunes in the Champions League. He warned that Ancelotti will be “under observation” this season.

By stark contrast, club president Uli Hoeness gave Ancelotti his full backing during an interview on a German talk show on Sunday. Hoeness said that he felt as if Ancelotti has been tasked with overseeing a transition of sorts at the club, with the main goal to secure a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title; anything else would be “icing on the cake,” according to Hoeness.

Ancelotti says that Bayern are ready for both Leverkusen and Werder Bremen, and he is hopeful that he’ll have most his squad at his disposal after the international break, including Jerome Boateng and James Rodriguez:

We're looking forward to kicking off the new Bundesliga season against Leverkusen...I think we are ready for the game and I hope that we can see a good match at the Allianz Arena. We will see this week which players will make Friday, but after that we have a match against Werder Bremen, then the international break. Then we will be able to bring those players back in.