CHICAGO — Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti says that while he'll look forward to facing Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez in the Bundesliga, he doesn't see the need to turn to the Mexican forward as a reinforcement.
Ancelotti managed Chicharito at Real Madrid and said that while he has respect for the forward, he doesn't believe his Bayern side will need to bring anyone - even Chicharito - into an already strong squad.
"I have a lot of love for Chicharito. He’s a very serious professional, and I had a very good relationship with him at Real Madrid," Ancelotti said at a news conference Tuesday. "I think now that he’s at Bayer Leverkusen, he’s going to be a very strong opponent, but an opponent is what he is. I’ve got to consider him an adversary. As I’ve said, the team is good as we are, and we’re going to give it all."
Bayern already boasts impressive attacking firepower, including forwards Robert Lewandowski, whose 30 Bundesliga goals saw him win the Golden Boot, and Thomas Muller and wide men Douglas Costa and Arjen Robben. Last season, under the direction of Pep Guardiola, Bayern scored the second-most goals in the Bundesliga with 82, two behind Borussia Dortumund, which had 82. The next closest team scored 67.
Chicharito and Bayer Leverkusen visit the Allianz Arena on Nov. 26, with Bayern returning the visit on April 15, 2017.
- Goal