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By Stefan Coerts21
Oct 30, 2013 10:13:00 AM
The Roten supremo is optimistic about his side's chances of Bundesliga success, but has warned that BVB will not make things easy for them
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness believes Borussia Dortmund will be challenging for the Bundesliga title right until the end of the season.
Jurgen Klopp's men currently sit second in the league table, trailing the Bavarians by just one point, and Hoeness thinks his side will face a tough task to shake off last year's runners-up.
"Dortmund have presented themselves just like we expected them to do. They are the toughest opponent we will have to beat this season," Hoeness told Sport Bild.
"Even if we cannot write off Bayer Leverkusen either, I have no doubt that the duel with Dortmund will last right until the end of the season."
Hoeness then went on to stress that Pep Guardiola's men can still win matches even if they're not on top form and stressed that he's confident FCB will be successful this term.
"The team showed against Hertha that they can also win games without playing 'tiki-taka'. We can also win matches by fighting for it.
"I am very optimistic about the remainder of the season."
Hoffenheim complete Hamad signature
30 October 2013
Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have completed the signing of Sweden international midfielder Jiloan Hamad from Malmo.
The 22-year-old captained the club to the Allsvenskan title this season, which they clinched with a 2-0 win over Elfsborg on Monday.
Hamad made 27 appearances in the club's successful campaign, scoring eight times, and will move to the Rhein-Neckar Arena in January in a deal that will keep him at the club until 2017.
Hoffenheim's sporting director, Alexander Rosen, believes Hamad can improve as a player while at the club.
"Jiloan Hamad is a young, ambitious player who can still develop, and he has already underlined his ability in Sweden," Rosen told the club's official website.
"He can play in a variety of positions across the midfield and we're delighted that he's decided to join us."
Hamad joins a side currently ninth in the Bundesliga and could make his debut in the first game after the winter break, when Hoffenheim travel to Nuremberg on January 24.
Bender extends Leverkusen contract
31 October 2013
Lars Bender has agreed a two-year extension to his Bayer Leverkusen contract and will remain with the club until 2019.
The midfielder arrived at the BayArena in 2009 and has since made 151 appearances in all competitions, while also having his form recognised with a call-up to the Germany national team.
The 24-year-old has started seven Bundesliga matches this season under Sami Hyypia, helping Leverkusen into third place in the table, just a point behind leaders Bayern Munich.
His deal was due to expire at the end of the 2016-17 season, but he has committed his long-term future to the club after being impressed with the improvements they have made.
"Bayer Leverkusen has evolved in recent years into something very positive," he told the club's official website.
"Our team is strong and has the potential to be even better. I want to be part of this story and make my contribution as we try and permanently establish ourselves in the top group.
"Bayer has become for me a great passion. I feel part of this club and just feeling that gives me great pleasure to play here."
Bender has picked up 15 caps under Joachim Low and scored four goals, while his last appearance for the national team came in their 3-3 draw with Paraguay in August.
Bayern Munich defender Dante returned to full training on Wednesday after recovering from an ankle injury.
The 30-year-old saw his run of previously appearing in every fixture this season ended when he was forced off after 43 minutes against Mainz earlier this month after taking a nasty knock to his left foot.
The Brazilian has missed a Bundesliga clash against Hertha Berlin and a UEFA Champions League match with Viktoria Plzen during his recovery, both of which Bayern won.
But after resuming full training on Wednesday, Dante could be considered for selection against Hoffenheim on Saturday, a game that could also feature Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos, despite the pair being substituted early in the first half against Hertha with groin injuries.
On his recovery, Robben told the club's official website: "It's getting better day by day.
Guardiola unlikely to risk Kroos, Robben
1 November 2013
Pep Guardiola is unlikely to risk Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben for Bayern Munich's trip to Hoffenheim despite both players resuming training.
Kroos and Robben limped out of Bayern's 3-2 Bundesliga win over Hertha Berlin last weekend with hamstring injuries, but both have returned to training.
However, Guardiola admits that he may not use either player for the next league match to ensure that they make a full recovery.
The Spaniard also revealed that Brazilian centre-back Dante has resumed full training after suffering an ankle injury against Mainz last month.
"Toni is a bit further than Arjen," he said. "They have both trained yesterday (Thursday).
"Perhaps they are not fit tomorrow (to face Hoffenheim), but next Tuesday or next Saturday they will be fit.
"Dante has trained well, although there are still little problems."
Bayern will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday against a side they never lost to in 10 meetings.
Lewandowski thrilled with hat-trick in Dortmund´s big win
2 November 2013
Robert Lewandowski was relieved to have broken the goal-scoring shackles in Borussia Dortmund's big Bundesliga win over Stuttgart on Friday.
The Polish striker scored a hat-trick as Dortmund overcame an early deficit to triumph 6-1 to equal a club record of six straight home wins.
Lewandowski completed his treble in just 18 minutes to send Dortmund top of the league, although Bayern Munich have a game in hand.
"It was a great game. To score three goals and win 6-1 is fantastic," Lewandowski told the Bundesliga's website.
"I didn't score enough in October so it's nice to score more now.
"Next we've got Arsenal (in the UEFA Champions League) and we're playing at home and want to win. We want to win as many games as possible."
The comprehensive victory was extra special for Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, who was celebrating a milestone match for the club.
"It was really nice to have played my 300th game," the experienced shot-stopper said.
"I've had some great highlights here - cup wins, the league titles, the Champions League last season.
"There have been so many great moments with these fans."
The result was the perfect hit-out for Jurgen Klopp's side ahead of next week's vital Champions League clash with Arsenal at the Westfalenstadion.
Defender Kevin Grosskreutz believes his side need to sharpen up at the back if they are to overcome the challenge of the English league leaders and take a giant step towards the knockout stages of the Champions League.
"It's disappointing to concede from another set piece but we showed a good reaction," Grosskreutz said.
"It's going to be a tight game against Arsenal, who are another world class team. But we want to win."
BERLIN (AP) The Bundesliga's top three appear to be in a league of their own before the 11th round of games, with Borussia Moenchengladbach nine points adrift in fourth.
Unbeaten Bayern Munich can match an all-time record at Hoffenheim, while Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen aim to keep pace with wins over Stuttgart and Eintracht Braunschweig, respectively.
Just six points separate Moenchengladbach and Augsburg in 15th, strengthening the notion of a two-tier league.
Here are five things to know ahead of this weekend's matches.
___
UNBEATABLE BAYERN?
Avoid defeat at Hoffenheim and Bayern would match the Bundesliga record of 36 games unbeaten set by Hamburger SV between January 1982 and January 1983.
Bayern hasn't lost a league game since a 2-1 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in October last year, and won't expect to lose on Saturday, despite Hoffenheim's surprisingly prolific attack.
Hoffenheim, which barely staved off relegation last season, is Germany's top-scoring side with 25 goals in 10 matches so far.
But Bayern has the Bundesliga's meanest defense (six goals conceded) and Franck Ribery.
With the Frenchman in the side, Bayern is undefeated in 39 straight games.
Last week, Ribery overtook Hamburg's Holger Hieronymus as the player with the longest unbeaten streak. The European Footballer of the Year won't want his record to end so soon after setting it.
___
DORTMUND DELIGHT
Onlookers could be forgiven for thinking Dortmund won the Bundesliga on Wednesday, such was the euphoria generated at the news Juergen Klopp had signed a contract extension to remain as coach until 2018.
Klopp, widely credited with masterminding the club's renaissance into domestic and European title contender, had a deal to 2016 but extended with his assistants by another two years because "it is important in life to be in the right place at the right time. And Dortmund for me now is the perfect place."
Dortmund will be in the mood to celebrate Friday against Stuttgart, but the visitors are unbeaten in seven games since Thomas Schneider took over as coach.
___
GUARANTEED DRAW?
Nuremberg hosts Freiburg on Saturday for a clash between the only sides yet to win in the Bundesliga. Nuremberg fired its coach after its poor start and new coach Gertjan Verbeek began his tenure with a draw at Stuttgart last week.
"We have to win against Freiburg," Verbeek said ahead of his home debut.
Meanwhile, counterpart Christian Streich is backing goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who gave away three goals in a disastrous performance against Hamburg.
"Oliver is guaranteed to be back in goal against Nuremberg and he'll deliver a strong performance, I'm certain of that," said Streich, who added that Freiburg's focus is now "about handling all the unpleasant things that have happened in the last weeks."
___
PRINCE DEPENDENCY
Kevin-Prince Boateng had treatment for his troublesome knee complaint on Wednesday but Schalke expect him to be fit for Saturday's visit to ex-club Hertha Berlin.
Boateng played in last week's derby defeat to Dortmund - when he missed a penalty - and in the Champions League loss to Chelsea a few days before, but is clearly not in the form he showed after joining from AC Milan.
With Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jefferson Farfan both injured, Schalke coach Jens Keller has been turning to Boateng to lead the attack, despite his lack of fitness.
Maybe the Schalke coach would be better served placing his trust in the 18-year-old Max Meyer, who became the youngest player to score in three consecutive Bundesliga games last week.
___
JEKYLL AND HYDE
Hamburg hasn't lost in four games since Bert van Marwijk took over as coach, with 13 goals scored, meaning visiting Borussia Moenchengladbach faces a difficult prospect to stay fourth on Saturday.
Consistency has been Moenchengladbach's biggest problem for a long time. Lucien Favre's side has not won two league games in a row since February 2012.
The side's away record this season doesn't inspire confidence either - just one point from five games, compared with five wins from five at home. Moenchengladbach stormed to a 4-1 win over Frankfurt last week but Favre was in no mood for celebrating.
"We can't play every game at home," the coach said.
Bundesliga Wrap: Bayern match record, Leverkusen suffer shock defeat
3 November 2013
Bayern Munich came from behind against Hoffenheim to return to the Bundesliga summit and equal a long-standing league record.
Goals from Mario Mandzukic and Thomas Muller saw Pep Guardiola's side overcome Niklas Sule's 34th-minute opener for the hosts.
Bayern are now unbeaten in 36 Bundesliga games, matching the mark set by Hamburg between January 1982 and January 1983.
The reigning champions also top the table by a solitary point once again, having been briefly overhauled when Borussia Dortmund thumped Stuttgart 6-1 on Friday.
Third-placed Bayer Leverkusen lost ground on the top two courtesy of a shock 1-0 defeat at bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig.
Dominick Kumbela’s 81st-minute strike proved decisive for Braunschweig, who had won just one of their previous 10 league fixtures.
Leverkusen's misery was compounded when fit-again Lars Bender, who signed a contract extension on Thursday, received a late red card for his second bookable offence.
Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg complete the top five after each won on the road.
Max Kruse scored both goals as Monchengladbach triumphed 2-0 at Hamburg, the forward opening the scoring in the 22nd minute before finding the net again 18 minutes into the second half.
Wolfsburg left it late to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 for their third league victory in succession.
Anderson Bamba's second-minute own goal gave Dieter Hecking's men an early advantage, but Alexander Meier levelled prior to half-time.
With a draw appearing likely, Maximilian Arnold struck in the 82nd minute to tilt the game in Wolfsburg's favour.
Schalke leapfrogged Hertha Berlin into sixth with a 2-0 victory at the Olympiastadion.
Adam Szalai's fifth goal of the season put Schalke ahead after 26 minutes and the Hungary international turned provider to set up Julian Draxler for a second deep into injury time.
In Saturday's other game, Freiburg recorded a 3-0 win at Nurnberg to climb above their fellow strugglers.
Both sides were seeking a first three-point haul of the season and a tight finish looked to be on the cards when Oliver Sorg was sent off for the visitors following Felix Klaus' 57th-minute opener.
Nurnberg failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, however, and conceded further goals to Vladimir Darida and Admir Mehmedi in the closing stages.
Bundesliga Wrap: Bremen, Augsburg win
4 November 2013
Werder Bremen climbed to eighth in the Bundesliga with a 3-2 home win against Hannover on Sunday.
Robin Dutt's side fell behind in the 20th minute when Szabolcs Huszti put the visitors in front from the penalty spot, before Aaron Hunt responded with a spot kick of his own five minutes later to level the scores.
Cedric Makiadi then gave the home side the lead for the first time seven minutes before the break but, once again, parity was restored almost immediately as Hiroki Sakai struck for Hannover three minutes later.
It looked as though both sides would have to settle for a draw until four minutes from time when Santiago Garcia netted the winner as Bremen ended a run of four games without a win to climb above their opponents, who are now winless in five outings.
In Sunday's other Bundesliga fixture, Augsburg claimed their first win in six with a 2-1 home success over 10-man Mainz.
Andre Hahn netted the opener for the hosts after 26 minutes, before doubling his side's advantage with his second goal four minutes into the second period.
Substitute Maxim Choupo-Moting pulled a goal back for the visitors with a penalty a minute after coming on just before the hour mark before another substitute, Christian Wetklo, was shown a straight red card with two minutes to go.
The result leaves Mainz in 12th place with just one win in their last nine Bundesliga games.
The Netherlands international remains unavailable due to injury and will miss Tuesday's match against Plzen
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will have to make do without the services of Arjen Robben for this week's Champions League game against Viktoria Plzen as the Dutchman remains sidelined due to injury.
Robben picked up a hamstring problem against Hertha Berlin last week and consequently missed the 2-1 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.
The 29-year-old was initially expected to be match fit again in time for Tuesday's Group D clash against Plzen, but Bayern have now announced on their official website that Robben will remain in Munich to continue working on an individual training programme.
The winger has been a key figure for Bayern so far this season, scoring eight goals in 15 appearances in all competitions.
Bayern currently sit atop of their Champions League section with nine points from three games and will qualify for the knockout stages with a win over Plzen.
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness set for tax evasion trial
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness will go on trial next March on tax evasion charges.
The ex-West Germany striker, who played for Bayern in the 1970s before moving into the boardroom, reported himself to the authorities earlier this year over an undeclared Swiss bank account.
German prosecutors charged the 61-year-old in July after a lengthy inquiry.
Munich's state court said that judges have decided to send him to trial with proceedings starting on 10 March.
Hoeness, who spent 30 years as Bayern's general manager before being elected as president in 2009, will remain in his role while the case continues.
"The board is of the unanimous opinion that Uli Hoeness shall remain in his position even with a trial being set," Bayern said in a statement.
The Bundesliga club are the current German and European champions and won last season's German Cup to clinch an unprecedented treble.
Hoeness made over 200 top-flight appearances for Bayern - and helped them to three European Cup titles - between 1970 and 1979.
He was also a World Cup and European Championship winner with West Germany before he retired from playing following a serious knee injury.
The 25-year-old has denied rumours that the club said they would sell him if he continued to produce the poor form he showed last season
Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has rubbished the suggestion that the club were ready to sell him if his form did not improve this season.
Mehmet Scholl recently claimed that the Germany international "would be thrown out of Bayern" if he continued playing as he had done last season.
Boateng, though, says that was never a possibility and insisted that he will not be departing the Allianz Arena any time soon.
"This statement [from former Bayern player Scholl] is completely false and I'm amazed by it," the 25-year-old centre-half told Sport Bild.
"Of course there are always talks going on at the club, but there has been absolutely nothing to do with me leaving."
Boateng also referenced Bayern president Uli Hoeness' praise for his form so far this term, admitting that hearing such kind words from a man of his stature had only boosted his confidence.
"It's very special to hear something like that from the mouth of Hoeness," he confessed. "It's nice to see my performances being noticed and rewarded."
Boateng: I joined Schalke for family and sporting reasons
By Henry Jackson3
Nov 6, 2013 5:21:00 PM
The 26-year-old Ghanaian surprised many by swapping Milan for Gelsenkirchen but he explains that he left to be closer to his son and to line out for a 'great club'
Kevin-Prince Boateng has revealed that he joined Schalke for both family and sporting reasons.
The 26-year-old left AC Milan for Die Knappen in the summer and the Hertha Berlin product has impressed upon his return to Germany, scoring four goals in his 10 appearances for the club to date.
Boateng is thrilled with how things have gone so far, feeling his decision to move to Gelsenkirchen has already been fully vindicated.
"I chose Schalke for two reasons," the Ghana international told reporters. "Firstly, because I wanted to be closer to my little boy, and secondly because Schalke are a great club.
"They have so many talented young players here, and that promises a very exciting future."
The former Portsmouth and Tottenham attacking midfielder had been linked with a return to England but Boateng refused to confirm if any English sides were interested in signing him.
"You'll have to speak to my agent on that topic," he said. "He knows the teams that were interested, not me."
The Poland international has attracted the interest of a number of big teams from across Europe as he's available on a free transfer next year
Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski has told interested clubs not to bother approaching him over a summer transfer as he has already made a decision on his future.
The 25-year-old recently announced that he would sign a contract with Bayern Munich in January after a move to the German champions fell through during the summer, only to claim shortly after that he had been misunderstood.
His latest comments put clubs such as Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United on red alert, but Lewandowski has now made it clear that he has already made up his mind.
"I am feeling very well at Dortmund, but I want a new challenge next season," Lewandowski told Sport Bild.
"I can only say one thing about my future and that's that I will announce my decision next year.
"No club has to bother with a fresh approach. I am focused on Dortmund and will not let anything distract me."
Lewandowski has been in fine form so far this season, scoring 13 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.
Borussia Dortmund have issued indefinite bans to three sections of their supporters following the trouble at the Ruhr derby with Schalke.
The action comes after sections of the Dortmund fans were seen lighting and throwing flares onto the pitch and into the home support before the start of the match last month.
There were also reports of damage to the away section of the stadium following the match, and the club have moved swiftly to take action.
Their decision will be reviewed at the end of the season.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Borussia Dortmund has decided to implement specific measures as a consequence of the incidents and the use of pyrotechnics on the day of the Revierderby at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena on 26 October.
"After intensive talks with the police and eyewitnesses, Borussia Dortmund has revoked the so-called away season tickets for the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup from the "Desperados", the "Jubos" and "The Unity" for an indefinite period of time- at least, however, until the end of the season.
"The investigation of the incidents surrounding the derby is ongoing. All persons found to have committed offences will be issued with a stadium ban. At present Borussia Dortmund expects that 20 to 30 persons will be affected by this measure."
Dortmund won the game 3-1 thanks to goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nuri Sahin and Jakub Blaszczykowski.
Schweinsteiger to undergo more surgery
8 November 2013
Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger will need further surgery to repair an ankle injury and is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
The Germany international midfielder, who initially went under the knife in June, missed almost three weeks of action after being withdrawn with an ankle problem during the 1-1 draw with Freiburg in August.
And although he subsequently returned to full training to take his Bundesliga appearances to 10 matches for the reigning champions so far this term, the 29-year-old admits that he has still been struggling with the complaint.
"The last few weeks for me were always very painful," Schweinsteiger said in a statement on Bayern's official website.
"I tried it again, but I am now at a point where surgical intervention can no longer be avoided.
"I hope that I can be completely free of pain after the surgery play football again."
Bayern have not yet put a timescale on Schweinsteiger's return, but his absence is likely to be keenly felt by coach Pep Guardiola.
The Bavarian giants have yet to lose a game in the Bundesliga this season, and sit at the summit of the table with 29 points from 11 matches.
Their defence of the UEFA Champions League has also started brightly, with Bayern confirming their participation in the round of 16 with a 1-0 victory at Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, which ensured an unassailable nine-point gap to third-place CSKA Moscow.
Klopp wary of Wolfsburg´s ´incredible squad´
8 November 2013
Borussia Dortmund head coach Jürgen Klopp has talked up the quality of Wolfsburg ahead of his team's trip to the Volkswagen Arena.
Klopp's men are a point behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich heading into Saturday's encounter.
The German coach, whose team suffered a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, is wary of a Wolfsburg side sitting fifth in the league after three consecutive wins.
"Everyone knows that Wolfsburg have an incredible squad," Klopp said.
"It is quite close in Bundesliga, the gap between a team in crisis and a European campaign is tight. Wolfsburg find themselves in such a good position.
"They are not just good offensively. They are an above-average team of Bundesliga. On their day they can beat every other team, and we will have to cope with that now."
Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Diego has been ruled out of the clash due to a rib injury in a huge blow to the hosts' chances.
Dortmund have injury worries of their own but captain Mats Hummels appears set to return to training.
Polish midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski may be sidelined after suffering from a virus.
"I have spoken to our doctor. It looks like Mats Hummels will be joining us at training – that's the plan," Klopp said.
"The only in doubt after yesterday's game is Jakub Blaszczykowski, who is suffering with a stomach virus and went to see a doctor today.
"We don't know yet, we will see what happens in two days in Wolfsburg, it is not nice though."
Bundesliga Preview: Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund
8 November 2013
Borussia Dortmund will be looking for a swift response to the defeat against Arsenal when they visit Wolfsburg on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp's men fell to a 1-0 loss in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday thanks to Aaron Ramsey's close-range header at the Signal Iduna Park, which left them three points adrift of a qualification spot for the last 16.
But Dortmund have fewer problems on the domestic front, having racked up three straight Bundesliga victories, including a 6-1 rout of Stuttgart in their latest league fixture.
Robert Lewandowski was the hero on that occasion as the Poland international notched a second-half hat-trick, taking his league goals tally to nine.
Last season's Bundesliga runners-up have lost just once in the league this term and trail leaders Bayern Munich by a solitary point.
Klopp is hoping to have defender Mats Hummels available after he missed the clash against Arsene Wenger's men with back and thigh trouble, but winger Jakub Błaszczykowski is a doubt with a gastrointestinal infection.
Wolfsburg endured an inconsistent start to their campaign, but three wins on the spin have seen Dieter Hecking's charges move up to fifth.
Saturday's 2-1 triumph at Frankfurt followed home successes over Augsburg and Werder Bremen, and they will head into the contest full of confidence.
Ahead of the showdown, Hecking insisted his charges are capable of matching Dortmund, as long as the team stay focused.
"We need to play our own game," he told the club's official website. "We cannot allow errors, as Dortmund will quickly punish mistakes.
"Ball retention will be important to ensure the speed of the Dortmund attack does not come into play."
Dortmund will be particularly wary after failing to defeat against Wolfsburg in the league last season. Klopp's suffered a 3-2 home loss in December, before an entertaining 3-3 draw at Wolfsburg in May.
Bundesliga Preview: Bayern Munich v Augsburg
8 November 2013
Bayern Munich will set a new record for the longest unbeaten run in Bundesliga history if they avoid defeat against Augsburg on Saturday.
Last season's treble winners have not have not tasted defeat in the German top flight for 36 games, matching the total achieved by Hamburg between 1982 and 1983.
Despite that sensational run, Bayern are just one point clear of closest rivals Borussia Dortmund at the summit, with Jurgen Klopp's men set to face Wolfsburg this weekend.
History is on the side of Pep Guardiola's men as they close in on the remarkable milestone, having won all five of the previous meetings between the sides.
The most recent encounter was back in May, when Thomas Muller, Xherdan Shaqiri and Luiz Gustavo fired Bayern to a 3-0 triumph, but the league leaders have not won more than three matches in a row so far this season - a feat they can achieve against Augsburg.
Bayern are in record-breaking mood of late, having equalled Barcelona's landmark of nine consecutive victories in the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 triumph at Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.
But the visitors will be in no mood for rolling over, having broken out of a five-game winless run to defeat Mainz 2-1 on Sunday.
Defender Philipp Lahm insists he and his Bayern team-mates have not been distracted by the prospect of setting a new record, which came under threat when they trailed to Hoffenheim last time out before recovering to win 2-1.
"You don't start playing football in order to break records but once the opportunity's there, you're obviously going to try and take it," the 29-year-old is quoted as saying by the Bundesliga website.
"We've put in a lot of hard work to get to this point and if you look at the history of the Bundesliga, going so many games without losing is something that just doesn't really happen."
Arjen Robben (groin) is a doubt after missing Tuesday's Champions League clash, while Thiago Alcantara continues his rehabilitation following an ankle injury.
Claudio Pizarro (thigh) and Shaqiri (thigh) are also sidelined and unlikely to be ready for a return.
Raul Bobadilla is yet to make his return from a knee injury for Augsburg, while Dominik Reinhardt and Panagiotis Vlachodimos are likely to miss out with tendon problems.
Bundesliga: Hannover 0 Eintracht Braunschweig 0
9 November 2013
Eintracht Braunschweig moved off the bottom of the Bundesliga table as they claimed a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Hannover on Friday.
The visitors came into the game on the back of a surprising 1-0 win over third-placed Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.
And while Torsten Lieberknecht's men could not replicate the feat against their Lower Saxony rivals, they stood firm to earn a stalemate that extends Hannover's winless league run to six matches.
Hannover dominated for the majority of the first half but struggled to craft too many chances, with midfielder Edgar Prib and striker Mame Biram Diouf going closest for the hosts.
Mirko Slomka's side continued to dictate matters after the interval, but were frustrated by a determined Braunschweig defence.
Diouf wasted a good chance when headed straight at Braunschweig goalkeeper Daniel Davari from close range early in the second half, and he was left to rue his profligacy as the visitors held on for a well-earned point.
