Even if Bayern Munich wraps up a record fifth consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday, it won't compensate for the disappointment of two defeats.
Bayern was knocked out of the German Cup by a 3-2 defeat at home to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, just over a week after its Champions League ambitions were ended by Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.
Bayern's 2013 feat of a Champions League, Bundesliga, and German Cup treble under Jupp Heynckes has arguably become the yardstick by which his successors are measured.
Pep Guardiola was unable to replicate it in three seasons that ultimately failed to meet Bayern's extraordinarily high expectations, and now Carlo Ancelotti is learning that "only" the league title will not be enough to keep criticism at bay.
"Coaches have to live with criticism," Ancelotti said on Friday in Munich. "Criticism helps you to focus and concentrate. Then you have to weigh up what criticism is fair and which is not."
Ancelotti's side has failed to win its last five games in all competitions, with defeats in the games that matter most. It's a remarkable failure given the Italian coach assured the club his side would be primed for the decisive stage of the season.
"Everything was still good at the start of April," Ancelotti said.