Van Gaal shrugs off another Bayern blank

Beaten 1-0 by Bundesliga leaders Hamburg SV on Saturday, the Bavarians had to settle for a goalless draw at home to Italy's Juventus in the Champions League.

Far from being downhearted, the former Ajax and Barcelona coach said he was encouraged by the number of chances created.

"If we keep creating chances like that, it's just a matter of time before we start scoring goals again," the Dutchman, whose team have four points from two games in Group A, told reporters.

"To create chances is important.

"In the first half, against a top level team, we dominated and they just had shots from long distance. I think that the first half was our best performance this season.

"It's a shame we made so many openings but didn't score."

Beaten to the Bundesliga title by VfL Wolfsburg last season, Bayern spared no expense in the close season as they hired Van Gaal and signed Germany striker Mario Gomez from VfB Stuttgart.

The latter deal, estimated at around 30 million euros was the most expensive in Bundesliga history.

They also hung on to French striker Franck Ribery despite reported interest from Real Madrid and signed Dutch winger Arjen Robben - who limped off injured in the first half of Wednesday's match - from the Spanish club.

Despite this, Bayern made their worst Bundesliga start in 43 years and, although they have recovered recently, they are still only a modest seven place in the table.

Their have also been rumblings of discontent with Gomez earning a public reprimand by general directory Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Sunday after complaining about being repeatedly substituted.

Italy striker Luca Toni, recently recovered from an Achilles tendon injury, expressed disappointment after he was left out of the squad for the Juventus game and told to play in the reserves instead.