Football
Mark LovellDermot Corrigan 8y

Bayern Munich lacked determination in Atletico defeat - Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti said Bayern Munich had lacked "bite and determination" as they lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday -- his first defeat in charge of the Bavarians.

Yannick Carrasco's strike after 35 minutes proved the difference in the Spanish capital, with Antoine Griezmann also missing a penalty for the hosts.

Bayern had plenty of the ball but few clear opportunities, with Thomas Muller seeing an early effort saved by Jan Oblak and Robert Lewandowski glancing a free header wide late in the second half.

"We didn't play with enough bite and determination," Ancelotti told German broadcaster ZDF. "We lost control of the ball too easily and left ourselves open to the counter attack. That was key. We were also too slow in our buildup play.

"We controlled the game but were too slow. Against Atletico you have to be much quicker, more efficient and take your chances."

He later told a news conference: "Atletico played as we expected. We could have played better. We started well, but then we lost our way a bit.

"We started to lose some personal battles, gave the ball away and they could break. They scored the goal and afterwards we tried to get back into the game."

The former Real Madrid coach rejected a suggestion that Diego Simeone's side had evolved into more of a footballing outfit.

"I saw the same team as previous years," he said. "Some players have changed, they have more depth in their game, with very fast players up front. But their style is the same.

"This is a difficult stadium to come to, and Atletico are a tough team to play against. To lose is always sad. We can still win the group -- we will have to beat Atletico -- but we must look forward."

Bayern's best chance fell to Thomas Muller in the 13th minute, but the Germany international was denied by Madrid keeper Jan Oblak.

That set the tone for the evening, with Bayern unable to find a way past a resolute home defence -- just as in the semifinal first leg at the same stadium five months ago.

Arjen Robben was introduced as a substitute by Ancelotti as Bayern pressed for an equaliser, and the Dutchman said: "We had chances, but you've got to take them if you want to win the game."

Bayern have now won only two of their last 11 away games in Champions League, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said: "Atletico had the killer instinct which we didn't have."

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