adminBERLIN. — Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola blamed last week’s international friendlies for the European champions’ below-par performance in Saturday’s laboured 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.A superb volley from Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic was the highlight of an otherwise off-key performance as Bayern failed to dominate Frankfurt despite enjoying 70 percent possession. Guardiola pointed to the fact that he had 15 of his 26-man squad away on international duty last Wednesday with their respective nations, allowing him only limited time to prepare for the trip to Eintracht.
The ex-Barcelona boss also said he was pleased to see the defending champions control the game better than they had done in their 3-1 home win over Borussia Moenchengladbach on the opening weekend of the season.
“We had much more control over the game compared to last week,” said Guardiola, with his side level at the top of the table with Bayer Leverkusen after the first two matches.
“We allowed Gladbach far too many chances on the break, but it was much better today.
“It’s never easy after an international break, because we only had three days together.
“We still created plenty of chances, so I’m happy and 100 percent satisfied.”
Guardiola made just one change to the team which beat Gladbach with Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri in for Arjen Robben, while new-signing Mario Goetze was included in the match day squad for the first time, but spent the game on the bench. The result means Bayern have the maximum return of six points from their opening matches as they equalled the club record of 27 Bundesliga matches without defeat.
But Eintracht captain Alexander Meier had a penalty appeal turned down in the 90th minute and Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer admitted the Bavarians rode their luck. — AFP.
Online Reporter