Kovac tells Bayern to dig in after Hoffenheim slump

Niko Kovac says Bayern Munich need to prove their shock defeat to Hoffenheim was only a Champions League hangover in their bid to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga Saturday.

Bayern followed up their 7-2 thrashing of Tottenham in the Champions League by crashing to a 2-1 loss in the Bundesliga a fortnight ago when mid-table Hoffenheim earned their first win at the Allianz Arena.

In the process, Moenchengladbach topped the table and Bayern dropped to third with five other teams all within two points of first place.

Now Kovac wants a win this weekend at Augsburg, where Bayern conceded a first-minute Leon Goretzka own-goal and needed two Kingsley Coman goals to earn a 3-2 win in February.

"There are teams all over Europe who have problems in their league after Champions League games," said Kovac on Thursday.

"Hoffenheim were better than their place in the table (12th) suggested - the same goes for Augsburg (14th).

"We know that is a hard place to win, we were a goal down after 10 seconds there last season.

"I expect a game in which we will have to hang in there and make the most of our opportunities."
One to watch: Thomas Mueller
============================
Key stats
=========