Gomez blames pressure for Bayern slump

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez admits pressure is the main cause for the team’s dip in form.

The Bavarian giants have won just two of their last five league games, with Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen leaving them seven points behind Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.

And the Germany international believes that the team’s obligation to win is affecting their performances.

“We are missing luck and determination in front of the goal,” Gomez told Bild. “At the back, there is impatience.”

“We absolutely want to win and we know we need to win. But then we open up and run into problems.”

“Due to the pressure of having to win, we get nervous and insecure. This should not happen to us.”

“But when it does, we no longer play with the necessary discipline, we are no longer compact and we do not wait for the opponents to make a mistake anymore.”

Gomez then offered his backing to coach Jupp Heynckes, who has been accused of losing control of the team.

“Look at the first half in Leverkusen: you cannot seriously say that the coach did not get through to us,” he said.

“Each of us has to pick out the best in ourselves. For the team, everyone must be self-critical.”

The 26-year-old also took his share of the blame for the team’s current troubles, having scored just twice since the start of the year.

“I am going through a difficult phase right now,” Gomez said. “I have not scored in recent games.”

“I must play like I usually do and work more consistently in front of goal. I was close to scoring at Leverkusen and I am sure I will do it in the next games.”

Bayern’s next Bundesliga game is against Hoffenheim at home on Saturday.