Hasan Salihamidzic expects 'different' Bayern Munich after international break

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has insisted Bayern Munich will be a 'different' team after the international break.

The German champions have endured a surprisingly mediocre start to the new campaign domestically, winning just three of their seven league games and losing to Augsburg in their match prior to the break. This poor form means Bayern are currently five points adrift of table-toppers Union Berlin.

Speaking to Bild, Salihamidzic addressed this form, revealing that the club held discussions with Julian Nagelsmann to review the start of the season, but insisted that the manager has his full backing: "We talked to Julian about all aspects of our start to the season, including the positive ones, because there was not only the defeat in Augsburg, but also a lot of goals at the beginning and two wins without conceding a goal in the Champions League.

"Julian is very clear. He and his team of coaches know exactly what to do. Above all, Julian knows that he has the full backing of FC Bayern, and that doesn't need to be emphasised again and again."

Salihamidzic also discussed potential reasons for why Bayern has struggled this season thus far, stating that the winter World Cup has some part to play: "For me, there is no question that in this extraordinarily demanding season with a world championship in the middle, only those teams have a chance of winning the title that find a rhythm as an entire squad group, that develop their rotation style and push themselves as a unit. Our players have quality, mentality and character, they want and will show that.

"We will appear differently after the international break. And I expect that too. Physical intensity, greed and the willingness to push yourself to the limit in every game are the prerequisites for success. We also need a much better, more focused exploitation of opportunities.”