'We have to shift up a gear very quickly'

The international break or the injury roster might have been useful to anyone seeking to explain Bayern's below-par performance on Saturday, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge refused to blame either. "We don't need excuses, we have only ourselves to blame," the FC Bayern chairman declared after the 2-2 draw away to Eintracht Frankfurt: "The way we played in the first half is not Bayern Munich. You can't turn in a display like that. We have to shift up a gear very quickly, or we'll have problems in the Champions League on Wednesday."

"We have to get a grip. The Champions League is up on Wednesday. We absolutely must take three points," commented Philipp Lahm. Just like Rummenigge, the FCB captain found fault with the team's attitude especially in the first half, when Bayern failed to dominate the game as usual, giving their opponents too many chances. "If you believe that less than 100 percent will do, you risk losing tackles and control," according to Lahm.

Reds remain table-toppers

Nevertheless the men from Munich took the lead twice as Arjen Robben opened the scoring ten minutes into the contest and Joshua Kimmich, who has scored in each of the last three league matches, netted on the hour. Szabolcs Huszti and Marco Fabián levelled the scores. It "topped it all" that Bayern conceded the second equaliser when they had men over, according to Thomas Müller. Huszti was given his marching orders midway through the second half. Mats Hummels spoke of a "good reaction" in the second half, but "surprisingly it only lasted until we went a man up. Then the fire died for some reason."

At least the draw had no effect on the Bundesliga table. "It's nice that nothing has happened," declared Rummenigge: "We're still top of the table. But you have to be ready to grasp the nettle, if there's something to be grasped. I always say, a stitch in time saves nine!"

'Obligation' against Eindhoven

"We were asleep for 45 minutes. That's too much in any match. The second half was a bit better," commented Carlo Ancelotti, announcing that he will "make changes" for Wednesday's home match against PSV Eindhoven. According to Mats Hummels the players have an "obligation to up the pace. We have to hit the gas from the very first minute and combine our individual quality with attitude and passion. Then we'll be incredibly strong."