"?Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti believes that Douglas Costa and Frank Ribery are not necessarily competing over a single place in his team's line-up, as "?FourFourTwo reports.
Costa returned from a thigh injury during Bayern's 2-0 win over Schalke, and it is believed that he will start in the German side's Champions League opener against Rostov today. This had led to speculation that Ribery, whose 2015/16 season was riddled with injuries, might be sidelined.
Carlo Ancelotti, Bayern coach: "The #UCL is always a special competition for me." ??? pic.twitter.com/GGDVubtLH2
Ancelotti, however, sees the duo possibly featuring in tandem.
"My opinion is good players have to play and good players can play together," he said in a pre-match news conference.
"This also applies to Ribery and Costa. While they cannot play full-back, they can play on both wings in offensive play. So this is not a problem."
Rostov are one of the top clubs in the Russian Premier League, having finished second in it last season. Therefore, Ancelotti is not complacent heading into the clash at the Allianz Arena and warns that the defence of their less-favoured opponents will be difficult to break down:
"They are defensively very well organised," he said. "They beat Ajax with ease."
Carlo Ancelotti's start at Bayern Munich:
2-0 vs. Schalke
6-0 vs. Werder
5-0 vs. Jena
2-0 vs. Dortmund pic.twitter.com/bpaGSPJoRb
"We have to play quickly and directly in front of them. They have a good team ethic and they have players who help each other."
"Especially defensively I expect them to be very strong."
Bayern were knocked out at the semi-final stage in last year's Champions League, so it is likely that the new boss will have to rely on the ability of the likes of both Costa and Ribery to bring glory home to Germany.
Lahm demands more from Bayern Munich ahead of Rostov clash https://t.co/pxIaSMH9R9 pic.twitter.com/Ejx2bZBp6y