Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti purred over the brilliance of Thiago Alcantara after the Spaniard played an exceptional pass to set-up victory over Hamburg on Saturday.
The Bundesliga champions recorded an eighth straight victory with a 1-0 win but were forced to work hard for three points, Joshua Kimmich grabbing the game's only goal on 88 minutes.
Thiago's first-time pass to release Franck Ribery down the left flank was instrumental in starting the attack and Ancelotti highlighted the display of his midfielder as one of the main positives.
In case you haven't seen it, watch Thiago's extraordinary pass that led to Bayern's winner. pic.twitter.com/tsWGAZmSHk
"It was a very difficult game," he said. "As expected, Hamburg played with great intensity.
"The second half was a bit different and we had our chances, but that pass from Thiago at the end was fantastic.This is one of his qualities and he played very well."
Goalscorer Kimmich said Bayern's first-half display was 'clueless' and was delighted to be the man to breakthrough Hamburg's resistance.
"We expected a tough game," he said."HSV are up against it at the moment, but they played well. We weren't at the races in the first half. We were clueless and didn't create many chances. We had three or four big chances in the second half and, fortunately, we scored one. I'm delighted I got it."
Thomas Muller added:"Obviously Hamburg were going to put everything into it, and it's always tough coming here. It wasn't our best game, but we put them under the cosh late on. Hamburg perhaps ran out of steam and that told in the end. It's not easy to win every game."
Pep Guardiola has won his first 5 #PL matches “ the only manager to win more was Carlo Ancelotti, who won his first 6 at Chelsea... #SWAMCI pic.twitter.com/1HuNHZdcuR