Bayern Munich interim head coach Willy Sagnol believes the reigning Bundesliga champions "are no longer the strongest team in Germany" following his side's 2-2 draw away to Hertha Berlin on Matchday 7.
Sagnol, who was assistant to the recently departed Carlo Ancelotti, was speaking at the post-match press conference after watching Bayern let a two-goal lead slip for a second successive league game – the first time that has happened in the club's history.
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After seven matchday, Borussia Dortmund lead the league by five points, while Bayern, who are without keeper Manuel Neuer until the New Year, have already conceded seven goals.
"We had lots of chances that we didn't take," Sagnol told the Bundesliga official website.
"We needed to play with more focus. When a team goes 2-0 up in any game, it should not be possible that they end up drawing 2-2. I believe Carlo Ancelotti was a very good leader for the team, and players were sad to see him go. Now we have to work together more."
"We've got a squad with a lot of quality, with a lot of experience, but sometimes in football, you need more than just that " he said, and referred to his starting formation which included the Bayern veterans Ribery, Arjen Robben and Jerome Boateng as well as World Cup winner Mats Hummels -- all of them returning after starting the PSG match on the bench.
"I was of the opinion that I fielded the strongest formation," Sagnol said. "It's a question of focus, of discipline."
The Hertha stalemate continued a disappointing recent run of results for Bayern, who lost 2-0 to Hoffenheim on Matchday 3, drew 2-2 with Wolfsburg on Matchday 6 and also suffered a 3-0 reverse away to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League – the game that ultimately cost Ancelotti his job.
He later told Sky Sports Germany: "The players are used to going from one situation to another. Of course, Carlo no longer being here has left a massive hole. Carlo is a massive personality.
"Nevertheless, that is football, situations change and the players have to look forward but now there's an international break and we will quietly analyse the situation."
Bayern are now on 14 points, five behind early leaders Borussia Dortmund.
