Bayern Munich's inconsistency has become a genuine concern after they failed to beat Norwegian champions Viking Stavanger in the Champions League, drawing 3:3 to extend their winless run to four weeks. The result followed a 2:2 draw at Augsburg in the Bundesliga, and the pattern across both games is troubling: early individual errors gifting opponents a lead, defensive disorganisation on the counter, and a failure to manage games once back in front.

The night in Stavanger was made significantly worse by Michael Olise's red card. Leading 3:2 and in control, the Frenchman threw the ball into an opponent's face after sustained provocation, receiving a second yellow and leaving his side a man short. Viking equalised in the 90th minute. Olise will now miss the Champions League home fixture against Arsenal on October 21, one of the biggest games of Bayern's European campaign so far.

Harry Kane remains the one constant source of reliability, scoring twice to set a club record of finding the net in nine consecutive Champions League appearances. But the problems around him are mounting. Manuel Neuer is managing a foot injury, Joshua Kimmich faces growing scrutiny after a difficult international break, and Lennart Karl was substituted at half-time in Stavanger having contributed almost nothing. Serge Gnabry, still rebuilding fitness after a long injury absence, did not feature at all.

Sitting third in the Bundesliga on 11 points, Bayern host RB Leipzig on October 17 before the Arsenal test arrives. The margin for further dropped points is narrowing.