Munich - Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm called Monday for patience as Germany's record champions attempt to take on board new coach Louis van Gaal's tactical ideas.

Bayern have got off to their worst Bundesliga start for 43 years, and after sliding to a 2-1 defeat to promoted Mainz on Saturday now face champions Wolfsburg in the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

"We knew it could be a bumpy start - and that's what we've now got," acting captain Lahm said.

The Germany defender said it would take time to adjust to van Gaal's tactics.

"There is a lot of tactical work. He has clear ideas of how every position has to be played," Lahm said.

"It's a big change for each player because this wasn't the case in the last few years."

Van Gaal was particularly disappointed with the first-half performance at Mainz who were two goals up at the break.

"Normally I wouldn't make substitutions in the first half, but this time I changed two players - and it could have been more," he said after the game.

Bayern, who were runners-up last season after sacking Juergen Klinsmann shortly before the end of the campaign, have just two points from three games.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reflected the management's concern after the game, saying: "There's not a lot to analyse. Two points from three games is an unsatisfactory situation.

"The situation we're in now is dangerous. We'll take it seriously, because we need to get out of it quickly."

President Franz Beckenbauer, writing in the Bild newspaper Monday, indicated the pressure was now on van Gaal to start winning.

"Louis van Gaal has to find the right answer on Saturday against Wolfsburg," he said. (dpa)