We do not win and immediately there is a fire in the house – Muller rejects Bayern crisis

Thomas Muller believes two games without victory hardly represents cause for panic at Bayern Munich.

After starting the season under Carlo Ancelotti with eight successive wins in all competitions, the Bundesliga champions were beaten 1-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League group stages.

That was followed by a surprise 1-1 draw at home to Cologne in the league, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer accusing his team of complacency having taken the lead.

But Muller believes there has been an overreaction to Bayern’s minor blip. 

“We won our first eight matches with a new coach at FC Bayern and once we do not win for two matches in a row there is immediately a fire in the house,” he told Kicker.

“I do not have the feeling at all that we’re lacking motivation.

“After the 1-1 last Saturday we were all annoyed, because it is not our aim to play a draw at home. That annoys us. [But] a yield of 16 points after six matches is not necessarily indicative of a problem.”

Ancelotti is famed for a more laid-back approach than his predecessor Pep Guardiola, but Muller says the Italian can be forceful when required.

“His nature is good and positive in moments of crisis, because he does not allow restlessness,” Muller said. 

“But if necessary our team certainly can use a kick in the butt, too. I do not see any danger of us easing up. We have to stay focused.”