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Scholl: Bayern free of Guardiola's shackles

BAYERN MUNICH 6

(Xabi Alonso 9, Robert Lewandowski 13, 46, 77-pen, Philipp Lahm 66, Franck Ribery 73)

WEDER BREMEN 0

Former Bayern Munich playmaker Mehmet Scholl said his former team have been freed of former boss Pep Guardiola's "chains" after they opened their Bundesliga title defence with a 6-0 drubbing of Werder Bremen yesterday morning (Singapore time)

"Bayern are having fun - (new coach Carlo) Ancelotti has set them free. They have shaken off Pep's chains," the former Die Mannschaft midfielder told German broadcaster ARD.

But Ancelotti says he made few changes to Guardiola's set-up as Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick and Bayern enjoyed 70 per cent possession at Munich's Allianz Arena.

"I changed very little as we are a very strong team, maybe we just need to play forward a little more," Ancelotti told ARD.

"I am very happy. That was a very good performance from my team."

Explaining the difference between the two coaches, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said: "Pep was a coach who always tried to have an influence, who always wanted to help the team.

"Carlo is a coach who tries to give us confidence with his calm manner."

Lewandowski, the Bundesliga's top scorer last season with 30 goals, was the star of the show yesterday morning and could have finished with five as Bayern ran riot.

After Xabi Alonso scored the first goal of the 2016/17 season at the Allianz Arena, Lewandowski netted either side of the break before captain Philipp Lahm added a fourth.

It was no more than shooting practice for Bayern by the time Franck Ribery fired home, with Lewandowski then converting a penalty to claim his third and his team's sixth. - Wire Services.

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