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Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti not worried after finishing second

during the Bundesliga match between Bayern Muenchen and Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on August 26, 2016 in Munich, Germany.
Image: Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti believes finishing second in the group should prove too much of an obstacle to his side's Champions League hopes

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti does not believe finishing second in Group D behind Atletico Madrid should prove too much of an obstacle to his side's Champions League ambitions.

The Germans were already unable to overtake Atletico for top spot and therefore seeding in the knockout stage draw ahead of Tuesday night's showdown at the Allianz Arena.

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Robert Lewandowski's first-half free-kick proved enough to give Bayern Munich a 1-0 win and end the Spanish side's hopes of finishing their Champions League group campaign with six straight victories. Ancelotti, though, feels all of the sides which have progressed to the last 16 are formidable opponents.

"Our objective was to finish first in the group, but I don't think it will change much. There isn't much difference between the first and second-placed teams. Now we have to wait for the draw," he said.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring the opening goal
Image: Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring the opening goal

Bayern were not able to make the most of their possession as the match wore on. Ancelotti, however, was happy enough with the job done.

The Italian coach continued: "I think we played well. We had good control of the game and prevented their counter attack.

"In the end the result wasn't important, but the performance gives us confidence for the coming games, although we still need to improve further."

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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone issues instructions
Image: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone

Atletico coach Diego Simeone made the expected changes to his side, but felt overall the group stages had given last season's runners-up plenty on which to build for the latter stages.

"The first half was a different story to the second and we improved a lot," he said. "In the second period we looked better and it was more even and we come away with a positive feeling from our final 15 minutes and at the end of the match there was the chance we could still get a draw.

"We achieved good results in Holland and Russia [earlier in the group stages] and I think we have played very well on the road so far, which is what had put us in the position we were in coming into this game."

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