Robben admits embattled Bayern ‘not good enough’ for title talk

>> BERLIN: Arjen Robben insists that Bayern Munich are not good enough to retain their Bundesliga crown as the off-form champions prepare for the visit of strugglers Fortuna Duesseldorf today, with their title-winning streak under threat.

Bayern have won the l ast six German titles but they currently trail leaders Borussia Dortmund by seven points after losing three of their last six league games.

“We’re not in a position to talk about the title at the moment — we simply aren’t good enough,” veteran winger Robben, 34, told broadcaster ARD.

Their latest defeat came 3-2 at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park a fortnight ago, and left head coach Niko Kovac in a precarious spot.

Bayern’s outspoken chairman Uli Hoeness says he will back the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss “to the end”, but patience could wear thin should Bayern drop lower than sixth and outside the European places.

However Hoeness says it is up to Bayern’s stars to get the club back in the title race, warning that “the players are under pressure for the next three of four months”.

“Then we will see who is needed and who isn’t,” he said.

Despite their poor run Bayern are heavy favourites to pick up three points against second-from-bottom Fortuna.

However Duesseldorf sparked cause for optimism after pulling off a surprise 4-1 win at home to Hertha Berlin last time out.

Dortmund, the Bundesliga’s only unbeaten team, have a tricky away trip today to Mainz, who ended a seven-match winless streak by beating Bremen and Freiburg in their last two matches.

The league leaders are targeting a more consistent display performance against Mainz after being well outplayed by Bayern in the first half before scoring three goals after the break.

“We’re taking it one game at a time,” said sports director Michael Zorc.

“Confidence is growing, but we had problems in the first half [against Bayern], we’re starting again at 0-0 and we have to be focused.”

Second-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach, who have won all five of their home league games this season, host third-from-bottom Hanover.