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Schalke 04's Adam Szalai (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring (Reuters)
By Ciaran Fahey
Derbies are in plentiful supply in the Bundesliga this weekend. Hannover hosts Eintracht Braunschweig for the first top-flight Lower Saxony derby in 37 years on Friday, Bayern Munich plays Bavarian rival Augsburg on Saturday, Mainz hosts neighbouring Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, before Freiburg welcomes southern rival Stuttgart. Here are five things to know about the 12th round of games:
OVERDUE DERBY
Hannover hosts Braunschweig for the first Lower Saxony derby since a 2-0 Hannover win on April 17, 1976. Braunschweig is bottom on its return to the Bundesliga after 28 years, four seasons after playing in the third-division. However, Torsten Lieberknecht's side claimed its second win of the campaign last week against third-place Bayer Leverkusen and is only one point off Freiburg in the relegation playoff place. "That shows that everything is possible if we believe in ourselves and approach the cause with confidence," Braunschweig striker Domi Kumbela said.
Hannover is arguably under more pressure with just one point from its last five games.
"No matter what our situation is, we have to win the derby," Hannover coach Mirko Slomka said.
The club had asked the German Football League not to hold the derby on Sunday, the fourth anniversary of Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke's suicide. * The game ended in a stalemate. Full Time score : 0 - 0
TAXING TIMES
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness' off-field troubles are casting a shadow over the club as it bids to set a record on it. Avoid defeat against Bavarian rival Augsburg on Saturday, and Bayern would become the first side to go 37 consecutive Bundesliga games unbeaten. Hoeness was told Monday that he will have to go on trial next March to face tax evasion charges over a Swiss bank account, and Bayern has reaffirmed its backing for the 61-year-old following his "outstanding services" to the club.
Late after Bayern's 1-0 Champions League win at Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday, Hoeness spent more than an hour talking with coach Pep Guardiola over a bottle of Catalan red wine called 'Terroir al Limit,' Kicker magazine reported Thursday.
"We're also philosophers," Kicker quoted Hoeness as saying. "Philosophers talk about all kinds of things. Guardiola is a very intelligent man, with whom you can speak about everything. That's why we meet from time to time. It's a lot of fun to chat with him."
LICKING WOUNDS
Ruhr rivals Borussia Dortmund and Schalke both suffered setbacks in their Champions League campaigns on Wednesday. Dortmund's seven-game winning run at home was brought to an end by Arsenal, while Schalke suffered the ignominy of a second 3-0 defeat is as many games to Chelsea.
"I'm sorry for the team," said Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand, whose mistake allowed Samuel Eto'o to open the scoring.
"You have to say today that football isn't always fair," Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller said.
Dortmund hopes to bounce back and keep the pressure on leader Bayern with a win at improving Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking said Thursday that playmaker Diego is out following the rib and stomach injury sustained in last week's win at Frankfurt.
Schalke hosts Werder Bremen, also on Saturday.
ATONEMENT
After last week's disappointing 1-0 loss to Braunschweig, Bayer Leverkusen aims to keep up with the top two with a win over visiting Hamburger SV on Saturday.
"It's difficult if you don't give your all," said Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia, who has to plan without the suspended Lars Bender.
Hamburg is coming off a defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Bert van Marwijk's first in five games as new coach.
"It's not really my style to dice everything up. That's not how I build confidence," said Van Marwijk, who has to decide whether Lasse Sobiech keeps his place after his two mistakes gifted `Gladbach a 2-0 win. "I'll see how I feel. What's decisive is that you improve from mistakes, not get worse." Hamburg is just four points above Freiburg in the relegation playoff spot.
HOME WIN?
Nuremberg is still waiting for its first victory but new coach Gertjan Verbeek's side next travels to Moenchengladbach, which has won all five games at home this season. Efficiency has been key to 'Gladbach's success this season, with Max Kruse, Raffael, Arango and Patrick Herrmann chipping in 23 of the side's 25 goals, highlighting its offensive capability. Only Hoffenheim has scored more in Germany (26).
Moenchengladbach's strength is Nuremberg's weakness, however, and nerves are raw after last week's 3-0 loss at home to Freiburg, without a win up to then.
"I had a good feeling despite the negative result - we were better and created many, many chances," Verbeek said. "Video analysis confirmed it. I saw a lot of things that made me happy."
Bundesliga Wrap: Bayern rewrite record books, Bayer edge eight-goal thriller
10 November 2013
Bayern Munich broke a 30-year-old unbeaten Bundesliga record while strengthening their position at the top of the table on Saturday.
The German and European champions eased past Augsburg at home 3-0 thanks to first-half strikes by Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery, followed by a disputed Thomas Muller penalty in stoppage time.
Victory meant a 37th league game without defeat for Bayern, surpassing the mark set by Hamburg in 1983.
That feat tasted sweeter still for Pep Guardiola's men after closest rivals Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 despite taking the lead at Wolfsburg.
Marco Reus put Jurgen Klopp's team ahead with a curling free-kick on the stroke of half-time, but Ricardo Rodriguez's speculative effort and a magnificent winner from experienced striker Ivica Olic means Dortmund will return from the international break to host Bayern four points in arrears.
On the day they lost a proud Bundesliga record, Hamburg came out on the wrong side of an eight-goal thriller at third-placed Bayer Leverkusen as they lost 5-3.
Heung-Min Son was Leverkusen's hat-trick hero, with Stefan Kiessling and Gonzalo Castro also getting in on the act as the hosts drew level with Dortmund on 28 points.
Maximilian Beister and Pierre-Michel Lasogga brought Hamburg level at 2-2 and the latter's second of the match set up a grandstand finish before Castro settled the issue.
Bottom club Nurnberg remain winless following a late collapse at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Josip Drmic coolly slotted the visitors ahead but Juan Arango equalised 18 minutes from time with a superb, curling 25-yard strike in to the top corner.
Niklas Stark then put through his own net from Arango's free-kick and Patrick Herrmann completed the scoring.
A Kevin-Prince Boateng brace helped Schalke to a 3-1 win over Werder Bremen. Jens Keller's side are sixth – one place and two points better off than Hertha Berlin, who edged to a 3-2 triumph at Hoffenheim thanks to an Adrian Ramos double.
Bundesliga Wrap: Stuttgart, Mainz both win
11 November 2013
Stuttgart claimed their first win in five Bundesliga matches with a 3-1 success at struggling Freiburg.
Vedad Ibisevic put the visitors ahead in the ninth minute and Timo Werner doubled the lead just 60 seconds later.
Second-half substitute Mike Hanke pulled one back for Freiburg in the 78th minute almost immediately after being introduced as a substitute, but Werner netted his second of the match four minutes later as Stuttgart climbed to eighth in the table.
Freiburg, by contrast, remain 16th with just one win from 12 league outings.
Elsewhere, Mainz climbed to ninth with a 1-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Maxim Choupo-Moting, who came off the bench in the second half, struck an 88th-minute winner to clinch a second victory in three games for his side.
Frankfurt have now suffered four successive defeats in all competitions and are winless in seven Bundesliga matches.
Dortmund confirm Reus release clause
12 November 2013
Borussia Dortmund have acknowledged star forward Marco Reus does have a release clause in his contract.
The Germany international made the switch to Jurgen Klopp's outfit on a five-year deal in July 2012, after the club agreed a fee reported to be in the region of €17.1 million with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Reus has quickly developed into a pivotal player for Dortmund and the 24-year-old boasts seven goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season.
His impressive form has led to rumours of a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United or Arsenal, or Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Dortmund executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has now confirmed there is a release clause in Reus' contract, with reports suggesting the figure is approximately €35 million.
"Marco Reus possesses a release clause option in his current contract at our club," Watzke told SPORT1media. "He could leave our club due to that.
"He is, however, the only player in our first-team squad that has such a contract clause."
Dortmund's hopes of reclaiming the Bundesliga title from rivals Bayern Munich were damaged by a 2-1 defeat at Wolfsburg on Saturday, which put them four points adrift of Pep Guardiola's table-toppers.
A 1-0 setback at home to Arsenal has also left Dortmund's UEFA Champions League hopes in the balance. They trail Arsene Wenger's men and second-placed Napoli by three points with two Group F fixtures remaining.
Michael Zorc and Jurgen Klopp are far from pleased with the defender being out for the season, while Marco Reus has revealed his disappointment at results
Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc has branded news that Neven Subotic will miss the rest of the season with an knee injury "sh***y" as the club fight to get their season back on track.
The Serbia centre-back was ruled out for six months after tearing his cruciate ligament in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg.
BVB chief executive Zorc told Bild "it's a really sh***y day" upon hearing that his club would be without the first-team defender for the remainder of 2013-14, while coach Jurgen Klopp admitted "it is terrible news".
Dortmund have now lost successive games - at home to Arsenal and away to Wolfsburg - and they are at risk of going out of the Champions League and falling behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
"We have lost two important games in a row," Reus said. "That's not good."
Dortmund's next two games could have a massive impact on the outcome of their season - first up is a home clash against Bayern Munich before a must-win European clash with Napoli.
BVB now trail the Bavarians by four points in the Bundesliga, with Pep Guardiola's men running out 3-0 winners over Augsburg on Saturday.
Lehmann: Premier League has weakened
12 November 2013
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has claimed the Premier League is not as strong as it once was.
Lehmann enjoyed a five-year stint at the club between 2003 and 2008 before coming out of retirement to return briefly in 2011 via a spell at Stuttgart.
Following last year's UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the former Germany international feels the Bundesliga duo have closed the gap at the top of European football, in stark contrast to the leading English sides.
"I think the duel at the top is pretty balanced, because Bayern and Dortmund have caught up a lot over the last years," he said.
"And I think the English League isn't as good anymore at the top or as strong as it used to be."
Dortmund and Bayern meet in the Bundesliga directly after the international break, with Lehmann claiming Arsenal's record against the pair in recent meetings demonstrates their similar qualities.
The 44-year-old also predicted the game would finish in a draw, with his former club Dortmund eager to avoid a third straight defeat, after losses to the Premier League outfit and Wolfsburg.
"Last year Arsenal has won in Munich 2-0 and lost at home 3-1," he said.
"If it wasn't for that (away goals) rule, maybe it wouldn't have gone into overtime. Dortmund has won once and lost once (against Arsenal).
"The chances of Borussia Dortmund losing three times in a row are pretty small, therefore I believe that it least it will be a draw."
Labbadia dismissal correct, claims Bobic
13 November 2013
Stuttgart director of sport Fredi Bobic feels the club's decision to sack Bruno Labbadia has been vindicated by recent results.
Since Labbadia was replaced with Thomas Schneider in August, Stuttgart have won four and drawn four of their nine Bundesliga matches, a run of form that has helped them to eighth in the table.
While Stuttgart suffered a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund at the start of the month, Schneider's side bounced back to beat Freiburg 3-1 on Sunday and Bobic is of the opinion that fortunes have improved at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
"If you look at what happened with us within the past few weeks, we started with three defeats, than we had to go through with the change of manager, and since we have only lost one game," he said.
"That (was) against Borussia Dortmund, which isn't too bad, and then we have played a good series of games, also (on Sunday) with the victory.
"The guys are doing a good job. I really enjoy watching them, they bring some fresh air into the game, and that's exactly what you hope for when you change managers."
After Stuttgart's defeat at Signal Iduna Park, Bobic is convinced of Dortmund's qualities and believes his former club are capable of beating champions Bayern Munich when the two meet after the international break.
"They're still playing good football, but they also can be vulnerable and you need a perfect day against them," he explained of Jurgen Klopp's men.
"However in two weeks against Bayern they will do everything they can to beat them and I think they’re the only team that has the quality to also beat Bayern."
Ter Stegen not too young for Barcelona, says Dominguez
By Stefan Coerts46
Nov 16, 2013 12:08:00 PM
The Spanish defender is in no doubt that the goalkeeper would prove a big hit at Camp Nou, even though he is hoping that the 21-year-old stays with Die Fohlen for now
Alvaro Dominguez has dismissed the suggestion that his Borussia Monchengladbach team-mate Marc-Andre ter Stegen is currently too young to succeed at Barcelona.
The Germany international has been touted as a potential replacement for Victor Valdes, who will leave the Catalans at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, and Dominguez feels that the 21-year-old shot-stopper has what it takes to thrive at Camp Nou in spite of his lack of experience at the highest level.
"There's no such thing as being too young when you are good - and Marc is very, very good," the Spanish defender was quoted as saying by Bild.
"I am just happy that he plays for Gladbach and I hope that he stays here. He can always join Barcelona in five years' time or so if he keeps up this form.
"We have not spoken about Barcelona yet."
Ter Stegen has a contract with Monchengladbach until the summer of 2015.
The Germany boss says he is focusing on his side's World Cup preparations, rather than politics between the two biggest Bundesliga clubs
Germany boss Joachim Low says he is not all that concerned about next week's clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
The 53-year-old has come in for heavy criticism from BVB fans for his decision to release Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer from international duty early ahead of Tuesday's trip to England.
Dortmund stars Roman Weidenfeller, Marcel Schmelzer and Marco Reus are all set to feature at Wembley, but Low says he is only focused on his own side's World Cup preparations.
"Dortmund-Bayern is not my cup of tea. I'm focussing on England and Chile," he said at a press conference.
"For me as a coach, the match tomorrow is an important test ahead of the 2014 World Cup. That's why I have to focus on myself and the national team.
"Every player wants to play every match, but I might take care so that no one plays the 90 minutes in both matches."
Low went on to confirm that he will make several changes from the team who drew 1-1 against Italy on Friday as he looks to assess his options ahead of the tournament.
"There will be changes as a matter of fact, but that was planned anyway. Weidenfeller will definitely start as the goalkeeper. Reus, Schmelzer and Per Mertesacker will also start.
"Weidenfeller deserves a call-up. He's a goalkeeper with very good charisma. And now that he is with us, we want him to play. I also talked about the situation with Rene Adler and explained my decision to him."
When quizzed about Tuesday's opponents, Low said that he felt that England were still very much a part of the elite in the international game.
"I do think England are still part of the big footballing nations. They're still one of the strongest teams; they are especially experienced in central midfield.
"On the wings they have fast players like Townsend. Tactically, they don't play like Italy, but they have immense power at home and they still have players who can make the difference."
Finally, the former Stuttgart and Fenerbahce coach said he was fussed about which teams his side will draw in the group stage for the World Cup on December 6.
"We'll take it as it comes. We have no favourite opponents. At Euro 2012, we had a group that could not have been much stronger, but we handled the situation well."
Don't boo Gotze, urges Zorc The midfielder could be in for a bad reception at Signal Iduna Park when he returns to the club for the first time since joining their arch-rivals
Dortmund complete Friedrich swoop The veteran defender has signed for Jurgen Klopp's side in the wake of an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's meeting with Bayern Munich
Manchester United enter Draxler race The Schalke youngster has attracted interest from Europe's biggest clubs in recent months and the English champions have now joined the chase
Gundogan upbeat over Dortmund return The midfielder has been hampered by injury so far this season but is targeting a comeback sooner rather than later
Lewandowski better than Mandzukic, says Beckenbauer The Germany legend feels the current Borussia Dortmund striker would be an "upgrade" on the striking options at the Allianz Arena and is eager for the club to sign him
The Germany legend is a big fan of the Argentine, but believes neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Zlatan Ibrahimovic would suit the club's style of football
Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer says Lionel Messi would be a perfect fit for the Bavarians and admits he dreams of pairing the forward with Franck Ribery.
Current Bayern boss Pep Guardiola worked with the Argentine during his four years in charge of Barcelona and the Germany legend has moved to lavish praise on the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.
But though he is a big fan of Messi's talents, the 68-year-old dismissed the prospect of two other high profile talents ever slotting into the club's new-found passing philosophy.
He told Sport Bild: "Messi would always be a great fit. He would be good for merchandising worldwide, too.
"That has a special charm [On the possibility of Ribery playing with Messi]. [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Pep] Guardiola - it is a no-go. And [Cristiano] Ronaldo does not fit into the system."
Bayern have made an encouraging start to life under Guardiola, who replaced treble-winning boss Jupp Heynckes at the end of last season.
FCB lead Borussia Dortmund by four points at the top of the Bundesliga having won 10 of their opening 12 league games, while they also sit top of Champions League Group D.
Published: Wednesday 20 November 2013, 13.38CET
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels will be out until January with torn heel ligaments and full-back Marcel Schmelzer also returned from international duty injured.
Mats Hummels was injured in Germany's win at Wembley
Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp faces an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-Bundesliga clash with FC Bayern München after Marcel Schmelzer and Mats Hummels returned from international duty injured.
Centre-back Hummels tore ligaments in his right heel during Germany's 1-0 win against England on Tuesday and will be absent until January, while left-back Schmelzer begins a three-week lay-off after tearing muscle fibres in his left calf at Wembley. Neven Subotić was recently ruled out for at least six months after damaging cruciate ligaments in his knee, meaning three of Dortmund's regular back four are missing for Saturday night's visit of leaders Bayern.
Out-of-contract Manuel Friedrich, whom Klopp knows from their time together at 1. FSV Mainz 05, had been on trial at Dortmund with a view to covering for this kind of eventuality. However, the 34-year-old is also sidelined after injuring his left knee in a 2-1 friendly defeat by second-tier SC Paderborn 07 on Tuesday.
Second in the Bundesliga, Dortmund lie third in UEFA Champions League Group F going into their home game against SSC Napoli next week, with a trip to Olympique de Marseille to follow on matchday six.
Hamburg confirm ´severe´ Van der Vaart ankle injury
21 November 2013
Hamburg have confirmed Rafael van der Vaart sustained torn ankle ligaments in Netherlands' friendly with Colombia on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old suffered the injury during his country's goalless friendly with the South American outfit in Amsterdam, and the extent of the problem has now been determined by medical tests.
"Rafael van der Vaart has suffered severe ligament injury in the right ankle," a statement on Hamburg's official website read. "One of the interior ligaments in the foot is torn ligaments and (he has) a torn outer ligament.
"Much has been speculated about the severity of his injury, now it is clear that the ligaments were severely affected in his right foot and he will be missing for some time."
Van der Vaart has started all 12 Bundesliga matches for Hamburg this season - scoring six goals - and sporting director Oliver Kreuzer admitted the injury comes as a blow to the club.
"The loss hurts already, because he has played very strong, especially in recent weeks, and otherwise is an important part of the team," he said.
"(How long he is out) depends on the healing process ... Rafa has good healing flesh."
Klopp: Dortmund showed the world Bayern can be beaten
By Craig Turnbull28
Nov 21, 2013 2:48:00 PM
Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash in the Bundesliga this weekend, BVB's coach believes his side have the style to beat Bayern but admits they have their work cut out
Jurgen Klopp believes Borussia Dortmund have the style to cause Bayern Munich problems but it will be an "incredibly tall order" to narrow the gap at the top.
League leaders Bayern sit four points clear of BVB heading into Saturday's encounter against their injury-hit opponents.
Klopp's men have not been beaten in the Bundesliga by Bayern since February 2010 and he knows that if they are going to continue their undefeated record at Signal Iduna Park they are going to have to be at their very best.
"We've got a style that can cause problems, but only when we produce it 100 per cent out on the pitch. Just going through the motions isn't enough," he told the Bundesliga's official website.
"You're not going to beat Bayern at the drop of a hat as they have too much quality. They win all these games now and people say: 'Well they made hard work of it, they were a goal down,' but they still win those games even when they are not on top form and that is bad news because when they are form they always win anyway.
"How do you deal with that? We certainly don't think that we have the answer nor that nobody else is up to the job but then along come Dortmund and show the world Bayern can be beaten but whenever you go up against them it is an incredibly tall order."
Dortmund have been heavily affected by injuries, particularly in defence, where Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer, Neven Subotic and Lukas Piszczek will all be sidelined.
New signing Manuel Friedrich has come in as emergency defensive cover and Klopp has underlined the importance of being inpenetrable at the back.
"These days you just can't do this job if you neglect any aspect of the game when the other team has the ball," he continued.
"Bayern Munich don't and you can bet your life Pep Guardiola doesn't. Barcelona's pressing ability was incredible. There were games where I think their centre-back [Carles] Puyol never touched the ball. The players in front of him cleared everything up and they had a team full of attacking midfielders.
"It's nonsense to say Bayern don't do it, they are just the same as us. There's the old saying that strikers win matches and defenders win titles. You can't afford to concede too many goals. It's not just bad in terms of results, it affects your self-confidence as well. It's like taking a knock on the calf or shin, you're not running smoothly afterwards. You've got a bit of a limp."
By Stefan Coerts77
Nov 21, 2013 11:30:00 AM
The Frenchman faces a brief spell on the sideline due to a rib injury and will miss the game against last year's Champions League runners-up
Bayern Munich will have to make do without the services of Franck Ribery in this weekend's Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund due to a rib injury.
The 30-year-old suffered a minor fracture in France's 3-0 win over Ukraine on Tuesday as he helped les Bleus turn around a 2-0 loss from the first leg of their qualification play-off in order to seal a ticket for the 2014 World Cup.
Tuesday's win came at a cost, though, as Ribery will now miss the highly-anticipated game against second-placed Dortmund, which he admits is deeply frustrating.
"This is very bitter. I really wanted to take part in the big game against Dortmund," Ribery told the official Bayern website.
"However, I am condident that the team will be successful without me as well this time."
Bayern will also be without the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, Claudio Pizarro, Xherdan Shaqiri and Holger Badstuber on Saturday, although Jerome Boateng has confirmed he will be fit to play a part.
The Germany international was a doubt for Saturday's crunch Bundesliga encounter due to a heel injury but has confirmed he will be ready to play
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has received some encouraging news from the treatment table ahead of this weekend's Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund as Jerome Boateng has been declared himself fit to play.
The centre-back picked up a heel injury in Germany's 1-0 international friendly win over England on Monday and Bayern initially feared that Boateng would be forced to miss Saturday's encounter.
However, the 25-year-old has now made it clear that he will be able to feature at Signal Iduna Park.
"I'm in good shape and I can play," Boateng, who has made 16 appearances for Bayern this season, confirmed to the official club website.
The news represents something of a blow for Dortmund, who are themselves facing an injury crisis ahead of the clash with the European champions, with Marcel Schmelzer, Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels all ruled out, while Lukasz Piszczek played for the first time since the Champions League final in Tuesday's friendly with Paderborn.
Bayern defend a four-point lead in the Bundesliga over Dortmund in Saturday's encounter.
The highly-rated 20-year-old Germany international, who has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, admits he is a big admirer of Arsene Wenger's side but ruled out a January exit
Julian Draxler has ruled out leaving Schalke in January but hinted at a possible summer transfer to Arsenal.
The Germany international has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United now having joined the race for the 20-year-old's signature.
Draxler, though, has confessed his admiration for the style of football favoured at Arsenal, revealing that he has already spoken to international colleagues Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker about life at the Emirates.
"I have always said English teams are very big clubs and Arsenal is of course one of them," the attacking midfielder is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
"Of course I sometimes speak to Mesut or Per about the team, about the club, and they always have good words and they tell me nice things.
"You never know what happens in the summer but Arsenal is a very, very nice team. They always have very young players, they play attractive football and that's what I like."
It has even been claimed that Draxler could end up in England as soon as January but, with the World Cup looming, he is dead against the idea of changing clubs midway through the season.
"No way. I won't switch then," he contined. "It's very important for me to play nearly every game.
"For my club I have the chance to play nearly every game; it’s important for me to improve myself.
"I've said every summer I have to look what is the best for me and I will do in the summer again and we will see what happens."
Draxler featured as a substitute in Germany's 1-0 friendly success over England at Wembley on Tuesday.
Bundesliga: Stuttgart 0 Borussia Monchengladbach 2
23 November 2013
Borussia Monchengladbach tightened their grip on fourth place in the Bundesliga with a confident 2-0 win at Stuttgart on Friday.
Raffael gave Gladbach a deserved half-time lead after latching on to a neat pass from Patrick Herrmann, with Sweden international Oscar Wendt settling the result with a sweetly struck volley.
Lucien Favre made no changes to his Gladbach side that had beaten Nuremberg before the international break, while Antonio Rudiger replaced Karim Haggui in the hosts' defence.
Granit Xhaka was enterprising early on for the visitors but failed to test Sven Ulreich with two early long-ranger strikes.
Ulreich kept Raffael out as he advanced on goal in the 17th minute with Max Kruse wasting the rebound by hitting his shot into the side-netting.
But Raffael was not to be denied eight minutes before half-time, picking up Herrmann's reverse pass and holding off Rudiger's challenge before rounding Ulreich and slotting into the net.
Juan Arango and Kruse brought fine stops out of Ulreich after the break, but he had no answer in the 73rd minute as Wendt was afforded space on the edge of the area to power a bouncing ball home.
Victory for Gladbach was their second on the road this season and fourth in a row, leaving them four points clear of fifth-placed Wolfsburg ahead of the weekend, while Stuttgart could drop from eighth to 12th if results go against them.
Injuries not an excuse, insists Guardiola
22 November 2013
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has played down his side's lengthy injury list ahead of their trip to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Guardiola's men head into the top-of-the-table clash four points ahead of rivals Dortmund following an unbeaten start to their Bundesliga title defence.
However, the Bavarians are set to be without a number of key players at Signal Iduna Park, with winger Franck Ribery the latest to be ruled out of contention with a rib injury.
Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger (ankle) and Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) are still on the sidelines, along with striker Claudio Pizarro (thigh) and defender Holger Badstuber (knee).
However, Guardiola does not believe their injury problems should be used as an excuse as they aim to open up a seven-point lead over Jurgen Klopp's team - who have major injury issues of their own, with the likes of Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Marcel Schmelzer all sidelined.
"We are excited about this opportunity. This is a big, big game," the Spaniard said.
"That's (the injuries) no excuse. I hate excuses.
"They are a bit of a problem, but I'm especially sad for the players. But I am very sure the team that plays against Dortmund will have great quality."
Bundesliga Preview: Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich
22 November 2013
Borussia Dortmund head into their Bundesliga showdown with Bayern Munich with their entire first-choice defence ruled out through injury.
Right-back Lukasz Piszczek has missed the entire campaign thus far with a groin injury, while Neven Subotic was ruled out for six months after tearing cruciate knee ligaments in the 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg before the international break.
And Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has seen his options at the back further depleted this week, with the news centre-back Mats Hummels will be absent until January with a heel injury while left-back Marcel Schmelzer faces a month out with a torn calf muscle.
To alleviate this defensive crisis, Klopp has drafted in free agent Manuel Friedrich, who had been unattached since leaving Bayer Leverkusen in the close-season.
The 34-year-old has been training with Dortmund in recent weeks, and could be set to feature in Saturday's repeat of last season's UEFA Champions League final - which Bayern won 2-1 - between the Bundesliga's top two.
Dortmund will be looking for a strong response to two defeats in the space of four days before the international break.
Klopp's side first fell to a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal in the Champions League that has left their participation in Europe's premier competition in the balance, while the Wolfsburg reverse saw them drop four points adrift of Bayern.
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has injury trouble of his own, though, with France international Franck Ribery ruled out with a fractured rib.
The Ballon d'Or contender joins Bastian Schweinsteiger (ankle), Claudio Pizarro (thigh), Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) and Holger Badstuber (knee) on the sidelines.
Reigning champions Bayern are in superb form ahead of the crunch fixture, and are looking to extend their record 37-match unbeaten run in Germany's top flight.
The Bavarian giants broke the mark of 36 matches without defeat set by Hamburg in 1981 with their comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Augsburg last time out, but they will have to be at their best to prolong the streak in Saturday's encounter at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund have won their last six straight home Bundesliga games, scoring 21 goals in the process and Bayern's only defeat in any competition this season came at the hands of Klopp's men in a 4-2 reverse in the DLF-Supercup final in July.
