Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa has admitted a feeling of surprise at Carlo Ancelotti's instant impact at the Bavarian club.
The Italian manager, who has won three Champions League trophies in his career in charge of Real Madrid and AC Milan, joined Bayern in the summer after Pep Guardiola completed a switch to Manchester City.
Critics thought that Ancelotti's style of play was too different to Guardiola's, and that it would take some time before he could achieve the best results.
But Costa believes the transition between managers has been 'very fluid', and this hasalso been seen on the pitch, as Bayern have scored 13 goals without conceding in their first three league games.
"Me personally, I was very surprised to be able to see his mark already so distinctly. I could see the differences clearly on the pitch," he told Kicker, as quoted byFour Four Two.
Douglas Costa: "I was very surprised to to see Ancelotti's mark already. I can see the differences on the pitch." pic.twitter.com/m1iBKypws3
"We play very aggressively and we press a lot. The transition [from Guardiola to Ancelotti] was very fluid.
"That this went so fast and successfully is a tribute to the flexibility and the quality of the team “ and the coach."
Despite starting his Bayern career in fine form, Costa's performances declined in the latter part of last season, but he insiststhat he is not worried about maintaining high levels of form this year under Ancelotti.
Carlo Ancelotti says he could never manage Barcelona or Atleti after coaching Real Madrid. https://t.co/MxGz1kl1cZ pic.twitter.com/GtDCWQvAj9
"I was weaker in the second part of the season. When the opponents learned that I was quick and looking for one-on-one situations there was suddenly more players standing in front of me and there was less space," he added.
"But it is a part of football that you can't always perform at the top level. I can think only of two players who managed to do that."