Bayern sack coach Ancelotti after PSG loss

berlin, September 28

German champions Bayern Munich sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti on Thursday, a day after they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Paris St-Germain in the Champions League. 

The club issued a statement on Thursday saying performances this season had failed to live up to expectations with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge pinpointing Wednesday's defeat in Paris as evidence of the team's struggles.

 Bayern, who have won the last five consecutive Bundesliga titles, are currently in the third place in the Bundesliga, three points off leaders Borussia Dortmund. 

Italian Ancelotti joined last season, succeeding Pep Guardiola, and enjoyed immediate success, winning the Bundesliga title in his debut campaign.

His side, however, were less successful in Europe and were eliminated in the quarterfinals of 2016/17 Champions League by eventual winners Real Madrid. 

Frenchman Willy Sagnol, Ancelotti's assistant who joined this season, will be taking over on an interim basis and will be in charge on Sunday against Hertha Berlin, Bayern said.

Barca edge Sporting 1-0 

Barcelona laboured to a second successive Champions League victory after Sebastian Coates' own goal gave them an unconvincing 1-0 Group D win over Sporting. 

After a frustrating first half, Barcelona scored in fortunate circumstances when Coates bundled into his own net under pressure from Luis Suarez in the 49th minute. Lionel Messi made his 593rd Barcelona appearance — tying him third with Carles Puyol on the club's all-time list — but the Argentine was unable to add to his brace against Juventus in their opening win.

Despite the underwhelming performance, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said he was not concerned by the display after his side registered an eighth successive victory in all competitions. 

Barcelona have been in free-scoring mood this season, with 20 goals in six La Liga games, but were left frustrated by a host of missed opportunities in the opening half in Lisbon. Suarez wasted a simple chance in the 18th minute when he side-footed wide after Jordi Alba had been set free by a sublime Messi pass. — Agencies

Champions League results

• Barcelona bt Sporting 1-0
• Juventus bt Olympiacos 2-0
• Man U bt CSKA 4-1
• Celtic bt Anderlecht 3-0
• PSG bt Bayern 3-0
• Chelsea bt Atletico Madrid 2-1