Wounded Dortmund face tricky test at Eintracht

BERLIN (AFP) –

Borussia Dortmund‘s Mats Hummels (L) and Marcel Schmelzer during their Champions League match against Ajax Amsterdam on September 18. Champions Dortmund will be bidding to get their campaign back on track when they travel to unbeaten Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Champions Borussia Dortmund will be bidding to get their campaign back on track after their weekend loss when they travel to unbeaten Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Tuesday.

Dortmund saw their 31-match unbeaten run ended with a 3-2 reverse at Hamburg on Saturday and, with seven points from four games, they need a win to keep in touch with leaders Bayern Munich and promoted Eintracht, who both have a maximum 12 points.

Leaders Bayern host Wolfsburg at their Allianz Arena stadium on Tuesday.

Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp says he has no concerns about his team being in fourth place, pointing out that he had “never coached a team who were on top after five days” and warning that his troops would show “all their potential during the season”.

Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller (C) celebrates a goal with teammates during their Bundesliga match against FC Schalke 04 on September 22. “We must not be lulled but continue our daily work to maintain the same level,” goalkeeper Manuel Neuer warned.

Last season, Dortmund were 11th after five matches before going on to mount a successful title defence but rivals Eintracht are not to be taken lightly, having scored 11 goals in four games and conceded just four.

Eintracht have a doubt surrounding the presence of captain Pirmin Schwegler, who has been given a “50/50 chance” of recovering in time by coach Armin Veh after suffering a head knock in Friday’s 2-1 win at Nuremberg, while Canadian striker Olivier Occean will miss the game with a hip problem.

Bayern, meanwhile, are top of the goalscoring chart with 14 scored and just two conceded, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer warned against premature celebrations.

“We must not be lulled but continue our daily work to maintain the same level,” he said.

Schalke defender Joel Matip during their Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich on September 22. Schalke, in fifth, will be looking to put their loss to Bayern behind them when they host Mainz before going to Fortuna Duesseldorf on Saturday.

The Germany international is one of the few members of the Bayern squad assured of his place in the team, with the club having signed several players during the summer and coach Jupp Heynckes determined to rotate against the Wolves, who are coached by former Bayern boss Felix Magath.

“Everyone must put their ego aside and accept spending some time on the bench,” said Heynckes after his side’s 2-0 win over Schalke.

Competition for places is particularly tight in midfield, where there are nine candidates for five places.

In-form Toni Kroos and Thomas Mueller could have to step aside for Arjen Robben or Franck Ribery, who has recovered from a thigh injury, while Heynckes could opt to give Spanish star Javi Martinez his first Bundesliga start.

Schalke, in fifth, will be looking to put their loss to Bayern behind them when they host Mainz before going to Fortuna Duesseldorf on Saturday, with a Champions League home tie against Montpellier looming next Wednesday.

However, Dutch duo Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (toe) and Ibrahim Afellay (cold) are doubts for the game, as is Jermaine Jones (ankle).

Elsewhere, ninth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach host Hamburg, while third-placed Hannover take on Nuremberg, with Mirko Slomka’s side looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season at the hands of Hoffenheim on Sunday.

Fixtures (all 1800 GMT)

Playing Tuesday:

Bayern Munich v Wolfsburg, Schalke 04 v Mainz 05, Greuther Fuerth v Fortuna Duesseldorf, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund

Playing Wednesday:

Borussia Moenchengladbach v Hamburg, Stuttgart v Hoffenheim, Hanover v Nuremberg, Freiburg v Werder Bremen, FC Augsburg v Bayer Leverkusen