Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that his team can turn things around as the German giants look to win their 11th straight league crown.
The Bavarians are in second place on 59, a point behind Dortmund, after last week's 3-1 defeat against Mainz 05. They face bottom club Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
"The situation has become more difficult for us now but it is not hopeless," Tuchel told a news conference. "I still have the feeling we will shift up a gear (in the last five games)."
Since taking charge of the club in late March, Tuchel’s side have been dumped out of the German Cup and the Champions League last eight.
Former coach Pal Dardai is once again in charge of Hertha as the club looks to avoid relegation.
"They are a bit unpredictable now with the coaching change," Tuchel said. "We have to reduce expectations and not expect too much from ourselves too early."
"We have to take it one minute at a time and eventually reach the win. But we have to deliver. Talking about our situation in the standings at the moment does not really make sense."
"We are very honest. We are the last ones to sweep anything under the carpet. We have dropped five points in the last two matches," he said.
Dortmund, in top spot on 60 points, will face VfL Bochum later on Friday and can increase their lead to four points before Bayern's game on Sunday.
"I don't know if I will watch it," Tuchel said of the Dortmund game. "It brings us nothing. Our situation is very clear. We have to get 15 points. Now it's only about us."