Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola believes "tough times lie ahead through to December" for his side as the German champions' start to the campaign continues to stutter.
For the first time in over two years, Bayern have failed to win back-to-back away games in the Bundesliga after their goalless draw at struggling Hamburg on Saturday.
That result also sealed the club's worst start to a campaign since the 2010-11 season, when, under Louis van Gaal, they picked up just five points from their first four games.
This season, Bayern have already gained eight points, but have mostly failed to impress, scoring only five goals.
Despite the setbacks -- as well as injuries to key players such as Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara, and Franck Ribery -- the Bavarians are on equal points with league leaders Paderborn, who they host at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Guardiola, though, feels his team will need time to return to the heights of last season's form.
"We have to keep up the hard work because tough times lie ahead through to December," Guardiola told a news conference.
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added in kicker: "The work load for the players is long beyond a healthy measure. The governing bodies are responsible for that through their flood of international games."
The Bayern chief also urged FIFA and UEFA to "call a halt to this development."
On Saturday, Guardiola for the first time rested summer signing Robert Lewandowski, who has struggled to make a real impact since his arrival.
The former Borussia Dortmund attacker has scored just one goal in his first six competitive games, although he has managed to set up three in that time.
Against Hamburg, the Poland international was brought on after 66 minutes, and in the time remaining touched the ball just nine times.
In his first four league games, meanwhile, Lewandowski has only had nine shots at the goal, compared to 22 during the same period at Dortmund last season.
"I have no doubt that Lewandowski will make it here. He has a lot of quality, especially in the box," Bayern captain Philipp Lahm told kicker.
Jerome Boateng added in Munchener Merkur: "It's not his fault. He is a world-class striker and will score many goals."