Robben: Injury behind substitute's role

The Netherlands international didn't feature at the BayArena on Saturday until the 71st minute but the winger insists he has no issue with Pep Guardiola

Arjen Robben has dismissed the suggestion that he was unhappy at being on the bench for Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Netherlands international, 29, explained that a minor injury was the reason behind his demotion and rejected claims that he was annoyed with coach Pep Guardiola for not introducing him before the 71st minute.

"Of course I would have liked to have come on earlier," Robben told TZ. "But that's normal. 

"But I also had slight muscular discomfort during the final training session. That was also the reason why the coach put me on the bench."

Toni Kroos put Bayern ahead against Leverkusen but the hosts equalised almost immediately through Sidney Sam.

In spite of the draw, the Bavarians still moved a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga standings.

Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen were indebted to goalkeeper Bernd Leno as they survived a Bayern Munichonslaught to hold out for a 1-1 draw at the BayArena.

Toni Kroos opened the scoring for Bayern in the first half on Saturday before Sidney Sam, scorer of the winner when the sides met in Munich last season, equalised less than 60 seconds later following an error by Manuel Neuer.

That defeat to Leverkusen was the last time Bayern had lost in the league, but they never looked like losing again - dominating their hosts from start to finish - but they were unable to find a winner against a stubborn home rear-guard.

The result took Munich one point clear of Borussia Dortmund at the Bundesliga summit, while Leverkusen remain in third, level on points with Jurgen Klopp's side.

Leverkusen boss Sami Hyypia made three changes to the side that beat Real Sociedad in midweek, including Emre Can against his former club in place of Roberto Hilbert, while Bayern made just one change from Wednesday night's crushing of Manchester City.

And the Bavarians started the match where they left off in Manchester, dominating Leverkusen in the early stages.

Pep Guardiola's side could have been 2-0 up within the first 10 minutes, with first Kroos then Thomas Muller dragging efforts wide of the goal when they really should both have hit the target.

Franck Ribery went close after 18 minutes, outmuscling Lars Bender before drilling a low 20-yard shot just wide of Leno's right post.

For the opening goal Ribery turned provider, skinning Leverkusen centre-back Omer Toprak before pulling back to Kroos, who hammered home a left-footed shot.

The hosts had barely been in the game, but they equalised almost immediately following a mistake by Neuer, who flapped at a cross giving Sebastian Boenisch a chance to score. Neuer saved well but the rebound fell at the feet of Sam, who slotted into an empty net.

Despite the equaliser, Bayern's pressure continued unabated and Muller had a brilliant chance to equalise after Ribery and David Alaba combined well on the left to find the German, but he inexplicably headed wide with an open goal gaping as the sides went in at the break level.

The second half began with a penalty shout for Bayern turned down by the referee, who had failed to spot the blatant shirt pull by Toprak on Muller.

Ribery then had efforts saved by Leno in as many minutes, the first a blistering left-footed volley, as Bayern continued to turn the screw.

As the clock ticked down Guardiola brought on Arjen Robben. The Dutchman had a free-kick well saved, then shot from long range straight at Leno, while Muller's header from Alaba's cross was blocked.

The visitors, however, could find no way through and Hyypia's men held out for an excellent point, as Giulio Donati made sure of the result in stoppage time, heading Bastian Schweinsteiger's goalbound header off the line.

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund were beaten for the first time in the Bundesliga this season as Borussia Monchengladbach scored twice in the final 10 minutes to win 2-0.

The match remained goalless until the 81st minute when Mats Hummels was sent off and a penalty given in the hosts' favour and converted by in-form forward Max Kruse, before Raffael added insult to injury four minutes from time.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had earlier denied Dortmund, who struck the crossbar in between goals from Kruse and Raffael, with a string of fine saves as Monchengladbach executed an excellent late smash and grab.

Monchengladbach coach Lucien Favre named just one change from last weekend's 2-2 drew at Augsburg, with Granit Xhaka replacing Christoph Kramer.

Jurgen Klopp also made one alteration from the side that beat Marseille 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, Roman Weidenfeller returning in goal in place of Mitchell Langerak.

Dortmund were the first to threaten in the fifth minute, Marco Reus curling his effort narrowly over the bar after latching on to a loose ball inside the area.

Ten minutes later the visitors were denied by a superb save from Ter Stegen, who thwarted Hummels from six yards after parrying Kevin Grosskreutz's long-range effort.

Klopp's men were making all the running in the opening stages and Ter Stegen was called into action once more in the 23rd minute, palming away Grosskreutz's stinging shot from 25 yards.

Dortmund went close again five minutes later, Reus sliding in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but his left-footed effort from a tight angle flashed just wide of the post.

Reus then drove into the box in the 33rd minute, but the Germany international dragged his shot a yard wide of Ter Stegen's right-hand upright.

Five minutes before the break, Nuri Sahin's powerful drive was beaten away by the keeper as it remained scoreless at half-time.

The opening stages of the second half were much more even and the hosts should have taken the lead on the hour mark, but Oscar Wendt fired wide from 15 yards after good work by Kruse down the left.

Two minutes later, Ter Stegen was called into serious action for the first time since the break, tipping Reus' vicious dipping effort over the bar.

The visitors were suddenly looking dangerous once again, Hummels heading wide from Reus' right-wing corner midway through the half.

With 10 minutes to go, however, Kruse gave Monchengladbach the lead from the spot, sending Weidenfeller the wrong way after Hummels saw red for a professional foul on Nordtveit.

Dortmund almost responded immediately, Reus striking the bar with a free kick, before Raffael put the game beyond doubt, stroking the ball past Weidenfeller after being played in on the right-hand side.

Monchengladbach- Borussia Dortmund Match preview

Borussia Dortmund will look to continue their impressive recent form against Borussia Monchengladbach when the two meet on Saturday.

The Bundesliga leaders have not lost to die Fohlen in their last four league clashes, with 5-0 and 2-0 victories in 2012 sandwiched by 1-1 draws. 

Dortmund will come into the game as favourites, having dropped points only once in the league this season, as well as having been boosted by a 3-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

Jurgen Klopp's men have scored 10 goals in their last three games and have also kept clean sheets in all of them, with their only defeat this term having come in Europe, against Napoli. 

Last season's Bundesliga runners-up have also been in fine scoring form, hitting 21 goals in their seven league matches, with Robert Lewandowski one of four players at the top of the scoring charts. 

However, Dortmund's only dropped points in the league came on the road and on Saturday they face a Monchengladbach side with an impressive record at Borussia-Park.

Lucien Favre's men have won all three games at home in the league this season, scoring 11 goals in the process, while conceding just twice. 

Favre has also been boosted by the news that leading scorer Max Kruse is likely to be fit for the visit of Klopp's charges despite fears over a bruised shoulder.

He has four goals in the German top flight this season and Monchengladbach's cause has also been helped by the form of Brazilian forward Raffael, who has four to his name. 

The latter is looking forward to facing one of the most respected and admired sides in the game right now.

"They're one of the best teams in the world and I think it's important to play teams like that," he said. "Everyone wants to play against a team like Dortmund.

"As far as we're concerned, we're working hard to deliver a good season. We've got to put ourselves in a good position come the end of the season. Then we'll see what's possible."

Bayer Leverkusen-Bayern Munich Betting Preview

Sami Hyypia's side were the last team to beat the champions in the Bundesliga 33 games ago, but Al Hain-Cole expects them to come up short this time in a high-scoring encounter

Bayer Leverkusen have the opportunity to overtake Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table when they welcome the champions to the BayArena on Saturday.

Sami Hyypia’s men have won their last seven consecutive league games in front of their own fans but are7/2 (4.50) outsiders with William Hill to emerge victorious in this one.

That is probably because their visitors have not tasted defeat in their last 32 league fixtures and are clear 4/6 (1.67) favourites to extend that run with their 28th win in 33.

This pair have not played out a draw in any of their last five encounters, but you can get odds of 15/4 (4.75) on them sharing the spoils in this one.

While Bayern have proved themselves to be head and shoulders above the competition at home and abroad over the past couple of seasons, few teams have run them closer than Saturday’s opponents.

The hosts’ shock 2-1 win at the Allianz Arena last October represents the European champions’ only defeat in their last 45 Bundesliga fixtures, while they also ran out 2-0 winners in front of their own fans the previous February.

Having won three and drawn three of the last 10 encounters, Hyypia’s side can be more confident than most of causing Pep Guardiola’s men problems, particularly as they have not failed to score in 24 home league fixtures.

With both sides in high spirits following exhilarating Champions League victories in midweek, another entertaining encounter looks likely between sides who have provided goals at both ends in six of their last eight meetings.

However, Bayern’s away win against Manchester City was a masterclass in football, and in such irresistible form it is difficult to see any side standing between them and their 23rd win in 25 league games.

Having scored 17 and conceded just twice in seven Bundesliga matches and with six consecutive competitive wins behind them, Guardiola’s side offer excellent value at 21/10 (3.10) to come out on top in a match featuring goals at both ends.

Borussia Dortmund 5-0 Freiburg

Borussia Dortmund continued their fine start to the season with a comfortable 5-0 home win over 10-man Freiburg on Saturday.

Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski both scored twice before Jakub Blaszczykowski added a fifth as Jurgen Klopp's side made it six wins and a draw from their opening seven matches.

Freiburg lost Fallou Diagne to a straight red card a minute before the break, the defender pulling down Lewandowski inside the area for the penalty that gave Reus his second goal.

The hosts made three changes from the side that needed extra time to defeat 1860 Munich in the DFB-Pokal in midweek, with Roman Weidenfeller, Nevan Subotic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacing Mitchell Langerak, Sokratis and Jakub Blaszczykowski.

Freiburg coach Christian Streich made two alterations from Wednesday's 2-1 win over Stuttgart, Diagne and Sebastian Freis coming in for Pavel Krmas and Mike Hanke.

Subotic had the game's first chance in the third minute, heading narrowly wide from a corner as the hosts applied some early pressure.

Lewandowski was the next man to threaten the Freiburg goal 15 minutes later, making space for himself in the box before firing over the crossbar from an angle.

Aubameyang should have given Dortmund the lead in the 25th minute when he was afforded a free header 10 yards from goal, but his effort lacked power and was comfortable for Oliver Baumann to collect.

Aubameyang was in again four minutes later, running onto Reus' through-ball, but Baumann rushed from his line to smother the shot as the hosts stepped it up a gear.

The pressure eventually told in the 35th minute when Reus gave Dortmund the lead with a scrappy goal.

Baumann parried Sven Bender's long-range drive and Lewandowski's follow-up but the rebound eventually fell to the feet of Reus, who tucked the ball into the empty net from six yards.

Reus went close to a second moments later, fizzing his volley a yard wide of the left-hand post as a half-cleared corner dropped to him on the edge of the box.

Freiburg were dealt a double blow in the final minute of the first period when Diagne was shown a straight red card for hauling down Lewandowski in the box and Reus stepped up to send the resulting penalty in off the post.

The hosts continued to pour forward after the break and Lewandowski made it three with a moment of real quality in the 58th minute.

The Poland international brought down Reus' lofted pass inside the box, escaped the attentions of two defenders and scooped the ball up and over Baumann for his fifth league goal of the season.

Baumann denied Aubameyang 10 minutes later with a fine save, but there was no let up from the hosts, who made it four in the 70th minute, Lewandowski stretching to convert substitute Jonas Hoffman's cross from the right.

Blaszczykowski added the fifth nine minutes later, taking advantage of some hesitant defending to round Baumann and slot the ball home from a tight angle as Dortmund cruised to victory.

Napoli 2-1 Borussia Dortmund

Napoli kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over last season's runners-up Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

The Italians opened the scoring early on as Gonzalo Higuain nodded an inswinging cross home, and the hosts' task was made infinitely easier just before half-time as Mats Hummels departed injured and Roman Weidenfeller inexplicably handled outside the box to earn himself a red card.

Dortmund's threat was significantly blunted by those blows - allied to Jurgen Klopp's dismissal to the stands - and they were helpless to prevent a fantastic long-rang free-kick from Lorenzo Insigne doubling Napoli's lead.

But there was time for the 10-man Germans to grab a late consolation when Juan Camilo Zuniga flicked a cross into his own net with five minutes of normal time remaining.

With no injury worries of note among his squad, Rafael Benitez named a strong, attacking line-up including the likes of Marek Hamsik, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon. The visitors, meanwhile, named a patched-up starting XI due to the absences of Ilkay Gundogan, Lukasz Piszczek and Sebastian Kehl.

Despite the makeshift nature of Klopp's team, Dortmund undoubtedly made the better start in Naples. But the hosts responded in kind, with a five-minute spell of pressure leading to Insigne driving narrowly wide before Higuain was denied a one-on-one chance by a brilliant Hummels tackle.

The topsy-turvy nature of the first half did not let up, with Lewandowski the recipient of the next clear opportunity. The Pole latch onto a fabulous throughball to sneak into the box but could not beat the sprawling Pepe Reina in the Napoli goal.

And, perhaps unsurprisingly, last year's Champions League runners-up were punished for that miss in the very next attack. Zuniga picked the ball up on the left-hand side before swinging in an inch-perfect cross that Higuain nonchalantly headed to the far corner of the goal to the send the home crowd into raptures.

On the touchline, Dortmund coach Klopp remonstrated angrily with the fourth official over his failure to allow Neven Subotic back onto the pitch following a head injury, but his rant only served to bring him a red card.

Dortmund responded in bullish fashion when they received a further blow just before half-time, replacing injured centre-back Hummels with forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

But things went from bad to worse seconds later as goalkeeper Weidenfeller rushed out of his box to meet the ball but could only handle to prevent Higuain breaking through and deservedly saw red.

Jakub Blaszczykowski subsequently made way for substitute shot-stopper Mitchell Langerak before the break.
Dortmund began the second half understandably deeper in an attempt to nullify their opponents' numerical advantage but were lucky to avoid conceding again as a rifled Insigne cross bounced off the knee of Hamsik six yards out with an hour gone.

However, it mattered little in the end, as Insigne ensured the Italians would take a two-goal lead in fabulous fashion. The 22-year-old produced an unstoppable free-kick from 30 yards out that rattled the crossbar on the way past a helpless Langerak.

Aubameyang upped the stakes in terms of audacious efforts in the immediate aftermath as he struck the bar from distance before Dries Mertens also got involved as his clever free-kick to the near post almost snuck in.

Dortmund were given hope in the dying moments as Zuniga needlessly swung at a cross into the box to leave Reina no chance of stopping the ball bouncing over the line off the post but the visitors could not launch a late comeback to avoid defeat.

Guardiola defends Bayern players against Sammer criticism

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has responded to sporting director Matthias Sammer's criticism that the players are hiding behind their coach and lack passion on the pitch.

Club president Uli Hoeness already voiced his dismay with Sammer's outburst earlier this week and the Spaniard insists the only thing that matters is players' carrying out orders properly.

"Matthias is very emotional, just like I am. The difference is that I can show my emotions during the game and he cannot do that," Guardiola told reporters.

"Sammer's comments are normal here, but this never happened in Spain. 

"The most important thing is that the players do what I want them to do on the pitch.

"I am getting to know my team better by the day. I feel that they are really keen to improve and to follow my direction."

Bayern are currently preparing for Tuesday's Champions League opener against CSKA Moscow at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern must not underestimate CSKA, insists Boateng

The defender has insisted that the Russian powerhouse cannot be taken lightly as they have some talented individuals

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has warned his team-mates not to underestimate CSKA Moscowahead of this week's Champions League encounter.

The Germany international has admitted that he does not know much about the Russian champions as of yet, but he has stressed that Tuesday's game cannot be taken lightly.

"They have a couple of really talented players, so we can't underestimate them. We have to be careful," Boateng told the club's official website.

"We don't often get to see CSKA’s games, so it's hard to say what we can expect. We’ll be taking a look at a lot of video material, and I’ll personally check out their strikers online. 

"What I do know is that they're very tricky opponents."

Wenger impressed as 'sick' Ozil picks up first Premier League assist

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he was impressed by new signing Mesut Ozil after the Germany international made his debut in the 3-1 win over Sunderland.

The former Real Madrid man wasted no time in inspiring his new team, taking just 11 minutes to make an impact, setting up Olivier Giroud for Arsenal’s opener at the Stadium of Light.

Two goals from Aaron Ramsey then sealed the victory for the Gunners, but Wenger was quick to praise Ozil, particularly as he was not at his physical best.“It was especially good because he was sick yesterday,” he told reporters after the game.

“His first half was outstanding, in the second half he dropped a bit physically but overall it was good.”

The game was not without controversy, however, as Sunderland had a goal ruled out after referee Martin Atkinson opted to pull play back for a foul, rather than play advantage and Wenger admitted his side had struggled for a while. 

“There were plenty of chances on both sides,” he added. “We had a great first half and maybe it should be game over at half-time, but Sunderland came back with a great determination.

"We dropped a bit physically but at 1-1 we found the resources again."

The game also saw striker Giroud substituted after picking up a knee injury and Wenger admitted it was a concern, particularly with a Champions League encounter in Marseille next up for the Gunners.

He added: "We are on a very strong run, but we are a bit short because we have so many injured players and every player we lose makes it difficult."

Borussia Dortmund 6-2 Hamburg (Match Report)

Borussia Dortmund hammered Hamburg 6-2 with a display of attacking dominance at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski both score two goals apiece, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the influential Marco Reus also on target.

Goals from Zhi Gin Lam and Heiko Westermann had briefly drawn Hamburg level just after half-time, but Dortmund’s dominance eventually told in a one-sided second half.

Looking to extend their 100 per cent league record, Dortmund made just one change to the side that beat Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, welcoming back Aubameyang in place of Jakub Blaszczykowski.

Despite fears that he would miss the game with a thigh strain, captain and top scorer Rafael van der Vaart was fit to lead the Hamburg attack, while the visitors also recalled former Dortmund youth team defender Lasse Sobiech.

The home side took the lead their early possession deserved on 19 minutes, Aubameyang running onto Marcel Schmelzer's long ball to fire left-footed through Rene Adler at his near post.

And they doubled their advantage just three minutes later, Armenia international Mkhitaryan coolly slotting home from the edge of the box after a back-heel from Lewandowski had set him free.

The visitors had barely threatened the Dortmund goal, but a moment of magic from Lam brought them back into the game after 26 minutes.

The midfielder skipped inside two challenges to fire home from distance into the bottom corner, giving Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller no chance.

Lam’s goal had been Hamburg’s only shot on target during the first half, but three minutes after the restart they drew level with just their second effort of the match.

Centre-half Westermann rose above Dortmund’s Neven Subotic to head in at the back post following a pin-point free kick from Van der Vaart.

The home side’s pressure finally told just past the hour, when Aubameyang fired home across the goalkeeper after being played in by Mkhitaryan.

From then on, it was one-way traffic, and Lewandowski made it 4-2 on 73 minutes, slotting home from 12 yards after superb work from Reus.

Reus got on the scoresheet himself a minute later, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up to make it 5-2 before Lewandowski completed the rout on 81 minutes, heading home Nuri Sahin’s cross from six yards out.

The scoreline was tough on Adler, who made several impressive saves to keep Hamburg in touch, but he could ultimately do little as Dortmund once again took charge at the top of the Bundesliga.

Arsenal 'paid heavily' for Ozil, says Villas-Boas

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says that Arsenal have "paid heavily" to bring Mesut Ozil to the Emirates Stadium from Real Madrid.

The Germany international signed for the Gunners on deadline day in a £40 million deal, smashing the north London side's previous transfer record of €18m in the process.

Ozil is expected to make his debut for Arsene Wenger’s side on Saturday at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland and Villas-Boas says there is no question he is a talented player."Real Madrid sold a player for €50m, a wonderful, gifted footballer, and in the end Arsenal paid heavily for a player of that dimension," he told reporters. 

"It's a €50m transfer for a No.10 that nobody has any doubt over his ability.

"They have lots of players for that position also but they have become even stronger with Ozil. The fact that Real Madrid sold him to Arsenal for that price, we can't say anything – we are happy with what we have and Real Madrid are happy.

"We are happy with what we have done in the transfer window, extremely happy. Arsenal did a great last-minute coup with Ozil but they will be as competitive as they were before."

Villas-Boas enjoyed a busy transfer window, breaking the club's transfer record three times with the signings of Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela.

And the Spurs boss feels his side, along with Manchester City, were the biggest winners during the summer, despite losing Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. 

"All of us have did good business in the transfer window - Manchester City and us maybe a little bit more than Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool," he added.

"I think all of us have made big steps forward from the season before.

"We have done lots of activity in the transfer market. We have been involved with a couple of transfers that we couldn't get through for various reasons and we are extremely happy with what we have done.

“We have lost a couple of players – players who were also decisive for us last season – but have made great investment in players who can give us a great , great future. It is something we have done almost to make sure what happened last year [finishing fifth] does not happen again."

Ancelotti: Ozil was not forced out

Carlo Ancelotti has hit back at Mesut Ozil's suggestions that he was forced out of Real Madrid.

The Germany star joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day in a €50 million deal after Gareth Bale joined los Blancos from Tottenham, and claimed the Liga giants had shown "a lack of confidence and trust" in his abilities which prompted his exit from the club.

Ancelotti, however, insists this was never the case, claiming that the 24-year-old has simply become concerned by the increased competition for places following the summer signings of Bale and Isco.

"I heard many talk about what Ozil has said, and I want to tell my side," the Italian told reporters. 

"He says we had little confidence, but Ozil played two of the first three games of the season. 

"No player is leaving if they do not want to. With new competition for his starting spot, he thought he had a lot to do and asked to leave."

Ancelotti went on to stress he had no problems with the player for leaving the club, pointing to Madrid's strength in depth as proof that the player will not be missed.

"Considering we have many players in his position, from a tactical standpoint, we had no problem with him leaving," he said.

"The club received a good deal for the player, and everyone is happy now."

Ozil could make his Arsenal debut against Sunderland on Saturday.

FC Bayern München vs Hannover 96 Match Preview

Bayern Munich-Hannover Preview: Gotze, Thiago & Martinez sidelined

The visitors will be hoping to spring an upset against die Roten, who have yet to reach their full potential this season and are missing key players

Bayern Munich will be looking to build on their recent silverware success, their first of Pep Guardiola's reign, by winning against Hannover on Saturday.

A penalty-shootout victory over Chelsea in the Uefa Super Cup prior to the international break was the first of what Bayern fans hope will be many trophies, having lost 4-2 in the DFL Supercup to Borussia Dortmund before the season got under way.Guardiola's men were far from convincing in their last league game, slipping to a 1-1 draw at Freiburg, who levelled through Nicolas Hofler after Xherdan Shaqiri had given Bayern the lead. 

Midfield stalwart Bastian Schweinsteiger is unlikely to feature for Bayern at the Allianz Arena, despite returning to training after an ankle injury, while Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez, Mario Gotze and Holger Badstuber are unavailable.

Bayern will still be heavy favourites for the contest, having scored 11 goals in their two victories over Hannover last season.

However, Franck Ribery, who scored in both of those encounters, is still expecting a difficult encounter against Mirko Slomka's men.

"Whatever we did last year against Hannover, we have to forget it, it will be totally different this time, it is a new game," Ribery told FCB.tv. "And it will difficult again, for sure."

Ribery's sentiments were echoed by Arjen Robben, who is eager to maintain Bayern's unbeaten run and keep pace with Borussia Dortmund, who boast the division's only 100 per cent record.

"Hannover are always a strong team, but if we have a great day and they don't then obviously you can have a great score then," Robben said.

"It will be difficult and it is important for us to have quick turnovers.

"There are plenty of games to go, we have to be careful of Dortmund and win our games. When you are playing good you are always very confident."

Hannover approach the game having tasted defeat just once this term, and they will be out to spring a surprise following their 4-1 victory over Mainz two weeks ago.

They will be without midfielder Szabolcs Huszti through suspension, while defender Christian Pander (ankle) is unavailable.

Slomka's real concern will be filling the void left by talisman Mame Biram Diouf. The Senegal international picked up an ankle injury in his country's 1-0 win over Uganda and could miss out.

Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburg Match Preview

Jurgen Klopp's side lost both encounters last season, including a 4-1 defeat at Signal Iduna Park, and he will be determined to ensure there will not be a repeat display

Borussia Dortmund will look to extend their perfect start to the Bundesliga season when they host Hamburg on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's side have started the new campaign brilliantly, posting victories in all four of their league fixtures.

New signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have slotted in seamlessly, scoring five Bundesliga goals between them, and Klopp's men look a serious threat to reigning champions Bayern Munich this season.Dortmund's defence has also been in form, conceding just two goals in their four fixtures, and they will head into Saturday's match brimming with confidence.

They could be missing Polish forward Robert Lewandowski, though, with the 25-year-old returning to Germany early after suffering an injury while on international duty.

Lewandowski hurt his knee in a World Cup qualifier against Montenegro on Friday, and had to pull out of Tuesday's fixture against San Marino as a result.

The striker, who scored 36 goals in all competitions for Dortmund last term, was diagnosed with tendonitis in his left knee by his club's medical staff.

Also in doubt for Dortmund is Marco Reus (gastroenteritis) and Marcel Schmelzer (facial injury).

Mkhitaryan may play more of an advanced role if Lewandowski misses out, with the Armenia international scoring twice in Dortmund's last match, a 2-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hamburg have started the season slowly, registering just one win from their first four matches, leaving them 12th in the table.

That victory came in their last match, a 4-0 trouncing of newly promoted Eintracht Braunschweig, and they will not fear their high-flying opponents.

Hamburg did the Bundesliga double over Dortmund last term, following up a 3-2 home win in September with an outstanding victory on the road in February.

Despite conceding an early goal, Hamburg came from behind to win 4-1 as Heung-Min Son, who moved to Bayer Leverkusen in the close-season, and Artjoms Rudnevs scored doubles.

Hamburg captain Rafael van der Vaart is in doubt for the clash with a thigh strain that ruled him out of the Netherlands squad, with coach Thorsten Fink admitting it was unlikely that he would feature.

Van der Vaart's absence may give Turkey international Hakan Calhanoglu a chance to shine, though.

The 19-year-old made his international debut on Friday in Turkey's 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra, while he also scored twice off the bench – after replacing Van der Vaart – in Hamburg's recent 4-0 triumph.