Bayern hunt record in Dusseldorf

BERLIN (AFP) –

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, seen here on October 15, has said the Bavarians’ Germany stars are eager to get back to Bundesliga business to erase the memories of Germany’s shock 4-4 draw with Sweden.

Bayern Munich will set a new Bundesliga record if they claim their eighth straight win since the season began at Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday, while champions Borussia Dortmund host neighbours Schalke.

While Bayern arrive hoping to rewrite Bundesliga history Dusseldorf are looking for their first home victory this season having claimed both their league wins so far on the road.

A victory would also be coach Jupp Heynckes’ 300th in the Bundesliga.

Bayern will be without winger Arjen Robben for the forseeable future with his thigh muscle injury needing more time having struggled with the injury since Munich’s 3-0 win over Wolfsburg at the end of September.

“It’s nothing serious, but we can not say exactly when the pain will be resolved,” Bayern’s director of sport Matthias Sammer told German magazine Kicker.

“We are doing him no favours to constantly discuss what day he comes back.”

(L-R) Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Sebastian Kehl and Jakub Blaszczykowski during a match in September. “Schalke have brought some calm back into the club and they have a good team, which has massive improvements in quality and they are serious contenders for the title,” said Kehl.

Bayern defender Jerome Boateng has said the Bavarians’ Germany stars are eager to get back to Bundesliga business to erase the memories of Germany’s shock 4-4 draw with Sweden.

Munich had seven players on the pitch for Germany in Berlin when Sweden began their fight back from 4-0 down on Tuesday to score four goals in 30 minutes and stun their hosts by sealing a draw in their World Cup qualifier.

“We are back at Bayern, the national team is behind me now,” he said curtly as Bayern enjoy a five-point lead at the top of the table.

“It is important that we get back into things quickly after being with the national team and find our rhythm again.

“We want to remain on top and far ahead of the other teams.”

Boateng admitted it was the “first and hopefully last time” he had experienced a 4-4 draw, but insisted the Sweden game now had “nothing to do with the Bayern players”.

(L-R) Schalke’s Jefferson Farfan, Christian Fuchs and Roman Neustaedter during a Bundesliga match on October 6. Schalke are missing Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and midfielder Julian Draxler, who has a fractured arm.

Dortmund, fourth in the league, take on third-placed Schalke at home on Saturday with a nine-point gap to close behind Bayern.

“Schalke have brought some calm back into the club and they have a good team, which has massive improvements in quality and they are serious contenders for the title,” said Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl.

“Overall, our team has more potential and I hope we show it on Saturday.”

Dortmund will be without midfielders Mario Goetze, who has a thigh injury, and Jakub Blaszczykowski, who has an ankle injury, but defender Mats Hummels and midfielder Sven Bender return from injury.

In contrast, Schalke are missing Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and midfielder Julian Draxler, who has a fractured arm.

Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink is waiting on the fitness of Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart for Sunday’s match at home against VfB Stuttgart.

The 29-year-old midfield maestro was unable to train on Thursday with a groin problem and Fink is hoping the Oranje star can take part with his team chasing their fourth win in five games.

Hamburg are eighth in the German league while Stuttgart are 15th, just above the relegation places.

Stuttgart’s hopes suffered a dent in midweek after it emerged Germany striker Cacau is expected to be out for at least the next three months after tearing both his medial and cruciate knee ligaments in training.

The 31-year-old Brazil-born forward injured his left knee while colliding with Stuttgart defender Antonio Ruediger on Wednesday and a is wearing a special splint to prevent an operation would have kept him out for longer.

Saturday

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04, Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz 05, VfL Wolfsburg v Freiburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Hanover, Fortuna Dusseldorf v Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen v Borussia M’gladbach

Sunday

Nuremberg v Augsburg, Hamburg v VfB Stuttgart