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          Bayern Munich's Carlo Ancelotti hails Thomas Muller's intelligence in win

          • Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich bloggerDec 2, 2016, 07:44 PM ET

          Carlo Ancelotti praised Thomas Muller's intelligence and versatility in Bayern Munich's come-from-behind victory over Mainz on Friday.

          The defending champions recovered from the shock of falling behind after only four minutes to win 3-1 and move back to the top of the Bundesliga.

          Jhon Cordoba had fired the hosts into a surprise early lead on the counter-attack, but Robert Lewandowski equalised just four minutes later.

          The returning Arjen Robben nodded Bayern ahead with a rare header on 21 minutes from Muller's pinpoint cross, before the Poland striker put the result beyond doubt in the final minute with a sublime free kick to seal his fourth consecutive league brace in Mainz.

          "Muller played well," Ancelotti said at the news conference after the game. "I've always said he's a very intelligent player, who can play in any number of number of positions up front."

          Without a goal in 11 Bundesliga games, Muller has languished predominantly out on the right-hand side in Ancelotti's preferred 4-3-3 this season. With Robben and Franck Ribery cutting in from the wings, the Italian moved Muller to a more central role in support of Lewandowski in a new system.

          Ancelotti added: "Muller changed his position, but I am happy with all the forwards, in the first half, they showed good combinations together.

          "It was a difficult game, but it's a good result. It was important to win here, we played against a difficult team and it's always hard to win in Mainz."

          Muller told reporters: "After the initial shock, offensively we were good especially in the first half. Our intensity was just right, it was fun today."

          Restored to the starting lineup after recovering from injury, Robben also played a pivotal role with a goal and assist on his 150th appearance.

          And Robben echoed Muller's sentiment: "We haven't played like we did in the first half for weeks. As a player that was really a great deal of fun.

          "We showed a lot of movement and surprised our opponents. I think this element of surprise has been lacking in recent weeks.

          With the precious three points, Bayern overtake surprise leaders Leipzig on goal difference, who play Schalke on Saturday.