Bayern under pressure to deliver

Champions Bayern Munich are unusually with their backs to the wall as they travel to Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund tomorrow, with coach Niko Kovac quickly running out of time.

The Bavarians, who have won the last six league titles in dominant fashion, have been far from impressive this season, lying in third place on 20 points, four off leaders Dortmund. Their nervous 2-0 win over minnows AEK Athens in the Champions League on Wednesday may have edged them closer to the knockout stage but it was further proof of their dip in form and their laborious style of play under the Croat.

“We know we need to improve for the match in Dortmund,” Kovac said. “At the moment we are missing fluency and lightness in our game. We currently seem to have to earn everything with as lot of hard work.”