MUNICH • Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti said their 4-1 romp against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League was the reaction he was looking for, after a three-match winless streak.
Bayern bounced back in emphatic style on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena, with winger Arjen Robben in outstanding form.
Goals by Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich put Bayern ahead before Luciano Narsingh netted for PSV before the break.
But Bayern dominated the second half with Robert Lewandowski putting them 3-1 up before Robben, who had set up two of their goals, added the fourth.
The German media had spoken of a "mini crisis", after Bayern's Bundesliga draws with Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt in the wake of their 1-0 Champions League loss at Group D leaders Atletico Madrid.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had branded their attitude in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Frankfurt as "unacceptable", but Ancelotti was pleased with his side's response against PSV.
"That was the reaction I expect from the team, the attitude was good, we learnt our lessons from Frankfurt," said the Italian, who had won his first eight games in charge before the defeat by Atletico.
"We are very happy to have Manuel Neuer," Ancelotti added after the Germany goalkeeper pulled off a string of good saves to deny PSV's attack.
Bayern face PSV away in a fortnight, then travel to play Russian side Rostov before hosting Atletico in their final group match on Dec 6, in a game likely to decide who win the group. Atletico are currently top on nine points, three ahead of Bayern.
"We played well, but we have to give our best in the next few games to make sure we play Atletico for first place," warned Ancelotti.
PSV coach Phillip Cocu was left rueing the loss but admitted that his team could only blame themselves for their mistakes.
"Today we saw the difference between us and a team who punish slight mistakes," he said.
"We struggled in the first 20, 25 minutes. Bayern applied lots of pressure, we didn't find our way into the game. After the second goal we clawed our way back and continued to do so in the second half.
"But even if you're 2-1 down you have to be compact, and we weren't. We made it difficult for ourselves in the second half, I'm very disappointed about that."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
