Lack of concentration to blame for Bayern Munich defeat, admits Neuer

Bayern Munich slipped to a first defeat of the season against Hertha Berlin on Friday, much to the frustration of Manuel Neuer.

Published : Sep 29, 2018 17:23 IST

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer has blamed Bayern Munich's lack of first-half concentration for their first defeat of the season against Hertha Berlin on Friday.

Vedad Ibisevic's 23rd-minute penalty and a close-range finish from the influential Ondrej Duda on the stroke of half-time condemned the champions to a 2-0 loss following a second underwhelming performance in succession.

They had been held to a surprise 1-1 draw at home against Augsburg in midweek and Bayern is now at risk of surrendering top spot in the Bundesliga.

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While not impressed with his side's first-half display, goalkeeper Neuer is already targeting a return to winning ways against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"We were not 100 per cent present in the first half. The issue of missing opportunities remains a big one – this was the case again [against Hertha]. We were optimistic at half-time that we could still turn it around," he told reporters after the game.

"In the Champions League everything is possible because we won the first game [against Benfica]. We are all professional enough and know what football is like."