Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann rejected claims that his team is lacking without injured striker Robert Lewandowski, blaming a lack of energy for his team's sluggish Bundesliga performance.

After an explosive start to the season that saw them score 20 goals in their first four competitive games, Bayern found themselves in an unfamiliar third place in the table after two straight 1-1 draws against Borussia Moenchengladbach and Union Berlin. After a disappointing quarterfinal loss to Villarreal last season, the Champions League remains Bayern's true yardstick as they attempt to win their 11th straight Bundesliga championship this season.

While Lewandowski’s replacement, Sadio Mane, has scored three goals in five Bundesliga matches since arriving in the summer, Nagelsmann said his side were lacking “energy” rather than the departed Pole and drew both games despite a “proliferation” of chances.

“Against Gladbach we had 31 shots on goal – I think that’s creative enough,” Nagelsmann said ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan. “How many goals have we scored?" (Our goal difference) is plus 14, I think. "

‘Not awake in our heads’

Nagelsmann said his side would be able to break down the defence of last year’s Serie A champions Inter provided they recaptured the energy they brought in the opening league matches. “Our energy level needs to be the same as before,” Nagelsmann said, in reference to his team’s draw in the German capital. We were not 100 percent awake in our heads in certain situations. "