Germany international Manuel Neuer has admitted that Bayern Munich were not switched off during the first half of the league clash against Hertha Berlin which cost them dearly in the form of a 2-0 defeat. The German champions were pegged back in midweek where they played out a surprise 1-1 draw against Augsburg at home and another winless game has meant that they have relinquished their advantage at the top.

Speaking after the game, Neuer said: “We were not 100 per cent present in the first half. The issue of missing opportunities remains a big one – this was the case again [against Hertha]. We were optimistic at half-time that we could still turn it around. In the Champions League everything is possible because we won the first game [against Benfica]. We are all professional enough and know what football is like.”

Bayern appeared to be running away with the league title once more after making the perfect start to the season after the opening four matches but they have since accumulated just one point from their next two games which has meant that Borussia Dortmund have jumped ahead of them on the standings to occupy the top position.

Nonetheless, the Bavarian giants should fancy their prospects of improving on their league form just as they did last season and they may need to avoid the complacency which appears to be hampering them during the opening stages of the campaign. Next up, Bayern are scheduled to face Ajax in the Champions League in midweek and it will be interesting to see the response from Niko Kovac’s men after going through two games without tasting victory.

Bayern have already got their Champions League campaign going with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Benfica on the road and a triumph over Ajax on Tuesday night would certainly put them in pole position to finish top of Group E.