Former Germany winger Basler, who won Bundesliga titles with Bayern in 1996-97 and 1998-99 during his playing days, caused a stir over the weekend when he told Sport1 that Ancelotti was bound for the CSL during the next mid-season break, having signed a pre-contract agreement.
Bayern 13/2 for Champions League title
But, speaking at a pre-match news conference for Tuesday’s Champions league Group B opener against Anderlecht, Ancelotti dismissed Basler’s words as a joke.
“I prefer to speak about serious things, but that’s a joke,” he said, cocking an eyebrow slightly higher than usual.
“The problem is many people didn’t understand it was a joke. They took it seriously.”
Bayern certainly have no room for tomfoolery against Anderlecht, having suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Arturo Vidal misses out through suspension, left-backs David Alaba and Juan Bernat (both ankle) remain on the sidelines, while winger Franck Ribery featured as a late substitute in Hoffenheim but faces a late fitness test.
“Ribery, I gave him a break against Hoffenheim because he was not 100 per cent,” Ancelotti added. “He had a problem on Friday and we have to check him.”
