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The Germany attacker will miss two weeks of action with a muscle strain, while Sven Bender also picked up a knock in the 5-1 win over Werder Bremen.
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Marco Reus and Sven Bender will miss two weeks and one week of action respectively.
The duo started the 5-1 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen on Saturday, but were both withdrawn after 65 minutes.
And the club have now confirmed that Reus had suffered a muscle tear, which will force him to miss the two upcoming games against Eintracht Frankfurt and the trip to Hamburg.
Bender, meanwhile suffered a strain in his right thigh which means he will be absent from the Pokal quarter-final at the Commerzbank Arena and next Saturday's meeting with Armin Veh's side.
Dortmund, who had been struggling for form in the Bundesliga, thrashed Bremen at the Weserstadion thanks to two goals apiece from Robert Lewandowski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and a Manuel Friedrich strike.
'Martinez & Muller exit rumours are bull****' - Sammer
By Craig Turnbull
Feb 9, 2014 8:25:00 PM
The Bavarians' sporting director has strongly refuted suggestions that the duo could leave the Allianz Arena, insisting that Bayern Munich are a 'buying club'.
Matthias Sammer has categorically denied that Thomas Muller and Javi Martinez will be leaving Bayern Munich.
Martinez has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer, while competition for places in the final third of the park has led to rumours that Muller could exit the Allianz Arena.
However, the club's sporting director strongly refuted the claims.
"Javi Martinez to Real Madrid, Muller, I don't know, to Dynamo Dresden - it's all bulls**t!" Sammer told reporters.
"We're a buying club, not a selling club. And to think about Martinez or Muller for only a second... that's the only thing that bothers me a bit."
Sammer was speaking afrer Bayern's hard-fought 2-0 victory over Nurnberg.
"The pitch was a catastrophe. You cannot play top-level football on a pitch like this," he continued.
"But Nurnberg did well. They will not be fighting against relegation playing like this."
Meanwhile, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola refused to speculate on attacker Toni Kroos' future.
The 24-year-old was left out of the clash against their Bavarian rivals for a second game running after missing Bayern's demolition of Frankfurt, and Guardiola said: "I comment only on players who played the match."
Bayern lead the way in the Bundesliga, 13 points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich's agreement with Allianz will see them increase their financial dominance, according to Borussia Dortmund's chief executive.
Hans-Joachim Watzke underlined his concerns after Bayern agreed a deal to extend their partnership with the financial services provider.
Allianz, who already own the naming rights to the Bundesliga champions' stadium, acquired an 8.33 per cent stake in the club in exchange for a sum of €110million.
It leaves Allianz with the same percentage share as adidas and Audi, with Bayern stating that the money would be used to pay down the "remaining obligations on the Allianz Arena" and the "planned reconstruction of the youth and junior facility in Munich".
However, Watzke is worried that the financial boost will see Bayern increase their stranglehold on the German top flight.
"This development was predictable," he told Bild.
"They've been negotiating with Allianz for a long time and I can only congratulate them on the deal, but the gulf to the rest of the Bundesliga is obviously going to grow further because of it."
Bundesliga Preview: Hamburg tackle relegation rivals Braunschweig, Leverkusen face Schalke
12 February 2014
Hamburg have a golden opportunity to kick-start their Bundesliga survival bid when they travel to relegation rivals Eintracht Braunschweig.
Bert van Marwijk's side have lost six league games in a row, a run that has left Hamburg second bottom in the table and speculation rife regarding the head coach's future.
At the end of November, Hamburg were 10th in the table, but a terrible slump in fortunes has intensified the pressure on Van Marwijk and his players, culminating in fan protests after last week's 3-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin.
Braunschweig have been bottom of the table for the majority of their first season back in the German top flight for close to three decades, meaning Saturday's encounter is pivotal for both sides.
At the opposite end of the Bundesliga, leaders Bayern Munich can make it 46 games unbeaten in the league when they visit Freiburg on Saturday.
Given that Bayern have not lost against Freiburg since 1996, Pep Guardiola's men will be confident of maintaining their 13-point lead at the top.
The race for second remains an intriguing battle with two of the contenders going head-to-head this weekend as Bayer Leverkusen welcome Schalke to the BayArena.
After ending 2013 with three consecutive league defeats, Leverkusen have returned to winning ways, but Schalke beat them in August and are currently unbeaten in five in the Bundesliga.
Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund face Eintracht Frankfurt hoping to boost their own chances of finishing second.
Borussia Monchengladbach can keep up the pressure on the top four when they travel north to Werder Bremen. But with no win in five in the league, Gladbach could find it difficult, despite Bremen's poor home form.
Relegation-threatened Nuremberg travel to in-form Augsburg hoping to put defeat against Bayern last Saturday behind them and record a third win in four in the Bundesliga.
Augsburg have risen up the Bundesliga in the last two months thanks to five wins in eight, a run that has seen them go from relegation candidates to a club safe in mid-table.
Meanwhile, Mainz and Hannover go head-to-head at the Coface Arena, while Stuttgart, who have lost five consecutive league games, travel to Hoffenheim and Hertha Berlin host Wolfsburg at the Olympiastadion.
Schalke's Julian Draxler could make his return from injury against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, coach Jens Keller has said.
Germany attacking midfielder Draxler has been out of action since December because of an ankle injury.
However, the 20-year-old has now returned to training and Keller is hopeful the reported Arsenal and Real Madrid target could be involved as Schalke look to boost their UEFA Champions League ambitions.
"He is certainly not fit enough to start," Keller said. "But I would like him in the squad."
Defender and captain Benedikt Howedes has recovered quicker than expected from a thigh problem, but the 25-year-old is still a doubt for the trip to the BayArena.
"The healing process (for Howedes) has been very quick. But he still had a little trouble with some movements and is still questionable," Keller added.
The news is not as positive for Atsuto Uchida, who tore a thigh muscle against Hannover last weekend. Keller confirmed that the full-back "will likely need surgery."
Schalke sit fourth in the Bundesliga ahead of the clash with Leverkusen and could potentially leapfrog local rivals Borussia Dortmund, who sit third, with a win.
Jurgen Klopp has intimated that both Marco Reus and Sven Bender could be fit for Borussia Dortmund's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Both players missed Tuesday's 1-0 DFB-Pokal win over Frankfurt, attacking midfielder Reus absent because of a torn muscle in his right thigh sustained in the 5-1 victory at Werder Bremen last weekend.
Midfielder Bender was unavailable due to a thigh strain, but Klopp hinted that the pair may well feature at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday as Dortmund look to gain ground on second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
"We will not take any risks," Klopp said. "But we do not want to stop anyone who feels fit."
Addressing the recovery of Reus, Klopp joked: "Who knows, maybe it's a good time for torn muscle fibres. They heal more quickly in this weather."
However, while Reus and Bender appear set to make speedy recoveries, Ilkay Gundogan remains out of action because of a back injury.
Gundogan has not featured for Dortmund since August, and Klopp admitted that the 23-year-old still "needs time" to return to full fitness.
Dortmund head into Saturday's game looking to end a run of four league outings at home without a win.
But after narrowly overcoming Frankfurt in the last eight of the DFB-Pokal, Klopp is anticipating another difficult game.
"It was a tight game (on Tuesday)," he explained. "If we want to win on Saturday, we need to be really good."
Crisis-torn Hamburg's week took another twist when their former player Felix Magath, widely tipped to step in immediately as coach and replace under-fire Bert van Marwijk, said he was no longer available.
Reuters – 14 February 2014
The controversial Magath, famous for his tough discipline, rigorous training methods and prolific buying in the transfer market, complained that some of the club's directors were not interested in a new start as he announced his decision.
Hamburg, who have been beaten in their last seven games in all competitions, are in danger of losing their proud record as the only ever-present team in the Bundesliga's 51-year history.
Hamburg are second-bottom a point behind Nuremberg, who occupy the relegation playoff spot, and on Saturday visit basement side Eintracht Braunschweig who are four points adrift.
"Unfortunately, too many of the old guard still prevail and are not interested in an honest new start," former West Germany international Magath said on his Facebook page.
"Parts of the advisory board, the management board and the HSVplus group have turned against me. How can you successfully lead a team through a relegation battle in such conditions?"
The HSVplus group was formed to look into setting up a new structure where the professional football team would be separated from the rest of the club and converted into a joint stock company, opening the way for investors.
Hamburg's plight took a turn for the worse when they lost 3-0 at home to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga last Saturday after a shambolic first-half display.
A group of fans waited outside the players' entrance after the game, insulted them and damaged vehicles.
Although chief executive Carl Jarchow backed van Marwijk, the club's 11-man advisory board met on Sunday to discuss the future of both men.
However, an eight-hour meeting failed to reach agreement and the board members left the hotel by a back entrance.
On Tuesday, German media speculated that the board was on the point of voting in favour of Magath who could even take over before Wednesday's German Cup quarter-final at home to Bayern Munich.
In the event, nothing more happened but the situation took another turn for the worse when Hamburg produced another pitiful display and lost 5-0 to the holders.
Hamburg are one of the few Bundesliga clubs who still use the traditional structure of an 11-man advisory board which in turn picks a four-man board of directors.
The advisory board wields considerable influence but is made up of people from all walks of life and is elected by the club's members.
"Nothing can succeed without unity in the club," said Magath, who won two Bundesliga titles as manager of Bayern Munich and another with Wolfsburg.
"It does not seem feasible to install this unity with all these vast groups and individual interests."
5 things to know about the Bundesliga as Bayern hosts Freiburg and Dortmund plays Frankfurt
By NESHA STARCEVIC AP
First Posted: February 13, 2014 - 7:38 am
Last Updated: February 13, 2014 - 8:22 am
Bayern Munich's Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic celebrates scoring during the German Cup (DFB - Pokal) quarter final football match Hamburger SV vs Bayern Munich in Hamburg, northern Germany, on February 12, 2014 (AFP, Carmen Jaspersen)
FRANKFURT, Germany — Second-place Bayer Leverkusen hosts fourth-ranked Schalke, while Borussia Dortmund plays Eintracht Frankfurt as the Bundesliga weekend can produce some reshuffling behind the runaway leader Bayern Munich, which is at home against Freiburg. But the match of the day could be the showdown between the two bottom clubs, Hamburger SV and Eintracht Braunschweig.
Here are five things to know going into the 21st Bundesliga round:
HAMBURG'S TROUBLES
With the championship all but decided, it was Hamburg's self-destruction that hogged the headlines the past week. Hamburg is the only team never to have been relegated since the Bundesliga's inception in 1963. But that proud record is in danger following six straight league defeats that dropped the club to next-to-last.
On Wednesday, Hamburg was easily swept away 5-0 at home by Bayern in the German Cup quarterfinals and the gap in class must have been frightening for Hamburg supporters.
The club's complicated leadership structure hasn't helped, with board members apparently split on coach Bert van Marwijk's future. It's far from certain that the Dutchman will be on the bench when Hamburg plays in Braunschweig, which he has described as "the match of the year" for his team.
Braunschweig is four points behind Hamburg but another defeat for Hamburg would mean an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
Hamburg has already conceded a league-high 47 goals and could be without midfielders Rafael van der Vaart and Milan Badelj .
LEVERKUSEN LOSING
Leverkusen is already 13 points behind Bayern and its priority now is to hold on to second place. It has lost three out of its past six, but the most recent two were victories — until a German Cup quarterfinal 1-0 loss at home to second-division Kaiserslautern.
Schalke, on the other hand, has won four of its past five, with one draw. Leverkusen is still safe, four points ahead of Dortmund and six over Schalke, but another home defeat would tighten the race for second and third — the Champions League slots.
DORTMUND'S DEJA-VU
Dortmund and Frankfurt meet for the second time this week. In Frankfurt, Dortmund won on a late goal by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to reach the German Cup semifinals, although for long stretches, Frankfurt was on even terms. It will be without captain Pirmin Schwegler because of a rib injury.
During the match in Frankfurt, defender Carlos Zambrano and Dortmund's star striker Robert Lewandowski barely avoided coming to blows, and chapter two of their showdown could be decisive for the outcome in Dortmund.
BREMEN'S WOES
Hamburg is not the only northern German club in trouble — Werder Bremen also has been dropping down the standings. Now 13th, Bremen has won only one of its past nine games and is three points away from the danger zone. Its 20 points from 20 matches is its worst record in 39 years.
Bremen is coming off a 5-1 loss at home to Dortmund and next meets another Borussia, fifth-ranked Moenchengladbach, also at home.
Coach Robin Dutt is under pressure to revive the team's previous trademark attacking style. While failing to create up front, Werder has also slipped in the defense, which is now the second worst after Hamburg with 45 conceded goals.
STUTTGART'S FALL: Stuttgart has lost its last four and is now one point behind Bremen as it heads to the away match at high-scoring Hoffenheim. Stuttgart will be without top striker Vedad Ibisevic — a former Hoffenheim star — who is at the start of a five-match ban for a red card.
First-season coach Thomas Schneider is expected to reshuffle the lineup, with Mohamed Abdellaoue taking Ibisevic's place.
Hoffenheim will strive to recover from a 3-2 home loss to Wolfsburg in the German Cup.
Freiburg have announced that captain Julian Schuster has signed a new contract with the club.
The midfielder joined Freiburg in 2008, and has chosen to remain in the Bundesliga despite reported interest from Real Betis in Spain.
Schuster has made made 164 appearances for Freiburg, scoring 14 goals, and was instrumental as the club reached the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal last season.
Sporting director Jochen Saier hailed the 28-year-old's decision to pen a new deal, which reportedly runs until June 2016, telling the club's official website: "It's great that Julian Schuster declares his support of the club by extending his contract."
Saier added: "He has made great development with us and is a good role model.
"We are extremely happy that our captain will continue to help us with his experience and has decided to remain."
Schuster said: "I am pleased that we have once again reached an agreement. I have experienced five-and-a-half great years in Freiburg; I am proud to play here."
Freiburg have endured a disappointing Bundesliga campaign this term and sit 16th in the table, a point from safety.
Stuttgart president Bernd Wahler has given head coach Thomas Schneider a vote of confidence despite six straight defeats in the Bundesliga.
Having been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League at the play-off stage earlier this season, Stuttgart now only find themselves above the relegation zone by a single point.
Fellow strugglers Hamburg sacked Bert van Marwijk on Saturday and have since appointed Mirko Slomka as his replacement, but Wahler is backing Schneider to turn things around at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
"Schneider has professional experience at the bottom of the table, Alfons Higl and Tomislav Maric (assistant coaches) are not inexperienced," he told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten. "The three complement each other well.
"I am very confident of his (Schneider) work, I am convinced that our trainers are able to do the right thing.
"If we were in the second division, I have no doubt that Schneider would be the right coach for our strategy of focusing on youth. But I am confident we have the class (to stay up)."
Stuttgart face Hertha Berlin on Saturday as they look for their first win of the year, and their first triumph at home since early in December.
Hamburg hire Slomka to replace Van Marwijk
Relegation-threatened Hamburg SV hired former Hanover coach Mirko Slomka on Monday to replace Bert van Marwijk, the club said on its website.
Reuters – Mon, Feb 17, 2014 15:16 GMT
Slomka, who signed a contract to June 30, 2016 that would also be valid if Hamburg were relegated, helped Hanover avoid relegation when he took over there in 2010. He was sacked from the club two months ago.
"There's a lot of quality in this team and it's been well put together," Slomka, 46, told a news conference in Hamburg. Slomka also coached Schalke from 2006 to 2008.
Hamburg, the only Bundesliga side to have remained in the top flight since the Bundesliga was established 50 years ago, suffered their a seventh successive league loss on Saturday, a 4-2 defeat at Bundesliga basement side Eintracht Braunschweig that left them second from bottom.
Former Netherlands coach van Marwijk was at Hamburg for 143 days after taking over from Thorsten Fink in September, with a deal until 2015. HSV were already struggling in 16th place.
Hamburg won three matches under van Marwijk and had three draws with eight defeats.
They also lost 5-0 to German Cup holders Bayern Munich in a quarter-final match on Wednesday.
Van Marwijk led the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, where they lost to Spain.
Felix Magath was a leading candidate to replace van Marwijk earlier this week but an agreement could not be reached and he signed an 18-month contract to coach the English Premier League's bottom club Fulham on Friday.
BVB's sporting director has agreed a new five-year deal with the club and insists there is more to come from Jurgen Klopp's men
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has agreed a new five-year contract – and insisted the club have not “reached the end of our development yet”.
Zorc followed coach Jurgen Klopp in committing his long-term future to last season’s Champions League finalists – Klopp penned a deal until 2018 in October – and promptly dismissed suggestions Dortmund’s recent run of success was coming to an end.
The 2012 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal winners have lost Mario Gotze to European champions Bayern Munich since that double success and striker Robert Lewandowski is set to join him at the Allianz Arena for next season.
Speculation continues to surround key midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, prompting fears Dortmund could struggle to live with Bayern and Europe’s other top teams in the years ahead.
Zorc, however, was bullish on the subject, telling the club’s official website: “I sense that we haven’t reached the end of our development yet.
“I see it as our joint responsibility to build on the success of recent years and establish Borussia Dortmund at the summit of German football and as a permanent fixture in the Champions League in the long-term.”
Dortmund-born Zorc made a record 463 appearances for the club before moving through the administrative ranks to become the club’s sporting director in 2005.
”Michael Zorc stands for Borussia Dortmund like no-one else. He’s been at the club since 1978 and has celebrated a great deal of success, first as a player, then as sporting director,” said club chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.
“That we wish to continue working together for the next five years demonstrates how much we value and trust the high quality of Michael’s work.”
The Schalke striker has impressed since his return from a knee injury, while there are call-ups for five uncapped Eredivisie players for the encounter against France
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's form for Schalke has earned him a recall into the Netherlands squad for their upcoming friendly with France.
The 30-year-old striker had spent five months on the sidelines with a knee injury but has scored two goals in four league appearances since returning to action in January.
That has been enough to impress national coach Louis van Gaal who named Huntelaar in his 33-man squad that will play les Bleus at the Stade de France on March 5, his first international call-up since August 2013.
Van Gaal has also taken the chance to look at five uncapped home-based players for the match ahead of selecting a 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup in May.
Defender Karim Rekik, on loan at PSV from Manchester City, earns his first call-up, while midfielders Davy Klaassen and Davy Propper will also hope to be involved.
Forwards Jean-Paul Boetius and Quincy Promes have also forced their way into Van Gaal's thoughts after notching seven and 10 Eredivisie goals respectively this season.
The squad also has six goalkeepers, but there is no place for Dynamo Kiev's Jeremain Lens after he was sent off against Colombia in November.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Fulham), Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Jeroen Zoet (PSV).
Defenders: Daley Blind (Ajax), Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Paris Saint-Germain).
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Davy Propper (Vitesse), Stijn Schaars (PSV), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Kevin Strootman (Roma).
Forwards: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Siem de Jong (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Quincy Promes (Twente), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).
Mirko Slomka begins life as Hamburg coach with a daunting home match versus a resurgent Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Predecessor Bert van Marwijk paid the price for eight consecutive defeats in all competitions when he was sacked following last Saturday's 4-2 league loss to bottom-placed Eintracht Braunschweig.
That run has left Hamburg 17th in the table, just one point above Braunschweig and three from safety.
Former Hannover boss Slomka is Hamburg's eighth permanent manager in the last seven years as the seven-time German champions bid to avoid what would be a maiden relegation from the top flight.
Dortmund have returned from the winter break with a renewed vigour, scoring 13 goals in four league outings, from which they have gained 10 points.
That is the kind of form Jurgen Klopp's men were in when Hamburg were thrashed 6-2 at Signal Iduna Park in September, an ominous warning for the hosts.
Stuttgart are another team in freefall, but coach Thomas Schneider received a vote of confidence on Tuesday ahead of the home match against Hertha Berlin.
Schneider's 15th-placed side have lost six Bundesliga games in a row, leaving them looking nervously over their shoulders, but Hertha have fared little better in 2014, claiming just three points from 12 available since returning from the mid-season break.
Elsewhere on Saturday, an out-of-form Borussia Monchengladbach entertain Hoffenheim, struggling Nuremberg entertain rock-bottom Braunschweig, 16th-placed Freiburg host mid-table Augsburg, and Wolfsburg go in search of a third straight win when high-flying Bayer Leverkusen pay a visit.
Unbeaten leaders Bayern Munich are in action on Sunday, with Hannover aiming to become the first side to beat the defending champions in the league since October 2012.
Sunday's other game sees Werder Bremen travel to Eintracht Frankfurt, with the two bottom-half sides separated only by goal difference, while Friday's only match involves UEFA Champions League hopefuls Schalke and seventh-placed Mainz.
The Fiorentina attacker, who left the Allianz Arena last summer, feels that new coaches will constantly herald a radical change in the team
Former Bayern Munich star Mario Gomez believes that everyone at the Allianz Arena is in danger of being replaced.
The Germany international scored over 40 goals for the Bavarians in the 2011-12 season but the arrival of Mario Mandzukic that summer saw his first-team chances limited.
The Croatian's future has come in for scrutiny since it was confirmed that Robert Lewandowski would join the club in the summer and the Fiorentina attacker - who left the Allianz Arena last summer - would not be surprised if his old team-mate was ultimately phased out.
"From the quality of the team and the club, Bayern are outstanding," he told Sport Bild.
"At the moment they are the measure of all things. When a new coach and a new system comes in, forwards can be swapped. This is normal in Munich. Everyone is replaceable."
Gomez has spent most of his Artemio Franchi career to date on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury, and though he is frustrated to have played so little, he has no regrets over the move from Bayern.
"This move was absolutely right. Unfortunately I have not been able so little on the pitch so far," he continued.
"I have suffered a lot. At first, it seemed like eight or nine weeks out. Ultimately, it was five months. I've often wondered how long this s*** would continue."
However, Gomez is hoing to be fit and firing to play a critical role in Germany's World Cup campaign in Brazil this summer.
"I want to make a difference at the World Cup. I want it all, the very maximum so I can't regret anything. Then the coach would know what I can do."
Jurgen Klopp expects Marco Reus to return when in-form Borussia Dortmund travel to Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg on Saturday.
The Germany attacker has missed Dortmund's last two games after tearing a thigh muscle in the 5-1 hammering of Werder Bremen earlier this month.
Klopp revealed at a press conference on Thursday that Reus is set to feature in Mirko Slomka's first game in charge of Hamburg.
"Marco Reus was able to give 100 per cent in training and looked good. He should be fit to play," said the Dortmund coach.
Klopp's side travel to Imtech Arena in fine form, having won their last four matches to put the heat on Bayer Leverkusen for second spot in the league as well as reaching the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal.
Beleaguered Hamburg parted company with Bert van Marwijk after suffering a seventh consecutive Bundesliga defeat at Eintracht Braunschweig last weekend and was no time in appointing Slomka as his successor.
Klopp expects Hamburg to be a different proposition under the former Hannover coach, but the charismatic 46-year-old is determined to deny Slomka a winning start.
He said: "We can't go to Hamburg with our new-found confidence expecting to face a weak opponent.
"We'll have to see how they set themselves up, but ultimately we've got perform to our capabilities.
"We need to work hard. We can't underestimate Hamburg. They've got a fresh start under Mirko Slomka.
"It's not the first time a team has changed management right before facing us.
"Slomka has spent time with his squad and if they buy into him then it'll be like a fresh start. The relegation battle has started for some sides. So I'm expecting a fight in Hamburg.
"Hamburg will be special and have a special atmosphere, they will celebrate every tackle. Hamburg don't need any sympathy from us, but they won't get any from us either."
Klopp revealed that defender Mats Hummels (ankle) is doubtful once again, while midfielder llkay Gundogan (back) is definitely out.
The 62-year-old FCB supremo has hailed the shot stopper's outstanding form in 2013-14 and is impressed with his abilities on the ball
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has voiced his admiration of Manuel Neuer in the wake of his superb performance in the 2-0 Champions League win over Arsenal on Wednesday evening.
The Germany international kept out a Mesut Ozil penalty early in the game as well as making several fine saves to keep Bayern on level terms, while also impressing on the ball with his accurate passing, and Hoeness has nothing but praise for the 27-year-old.
"What Neuer is doing is absolutely top notch. He has been priceless," Hoeness was quoted as saying by Bild.
"We are using our goalkeeper as an outfield player. Some people seem to forget that. It's a matter of time before he is playing in our opponents' half.
"The defenders can always pass the ball back to Manuel. He can pass the ball on to a team-mate perfectly with both his right and his left foot."
Neuer has kept 22 clean sheets in 35 official appearances for Bayern in 2013-14.
Next-to-last Hamburger SV hosts Borussia Dortmund as it begins its struggle against relegation under a new coach, while runaway leader Bayern Munich visits Hannover in the 22nd round of the Bundesliga.
Here are five things to know about the Bundesliga weekend:
NEW HAMBURG HOPE
Mirko Slomka took over on Monday from Bert van Marwijk after Hamburg's seventh straight Bundesliga loss. Hamburg is the only founding member of the Bundesliga not to have been relegated in the competition's 51 years, but now it sits only one point above the bottom and three points away from safety. What sealed van Marwijk's fate was the 4-2 loss at bottom-place Eintracht Braunschweig.
Slomka, Hamburg's third coach this season, saved Hannover from relegation and took it to the Europa League, but was sacked in December after losing all away games in the first half of the season.
His first job will be to improve Hamburg's defense, which has given up a league-high 51 goals - conceding three goals or more in 11 games this season, an all-time club record.
The job will be harder knowing that Dortmund's forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski have already combined for 27 goals this season and that Dortmund is coming off three straight wins. Dortmund is one point away from second place.
MONEY TALKS
Big-spending Wolfsburg is beginning to reap the profits on its investment in new players, including former Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, and is hopeful of more success when it hosts Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
After 15 rounds, Leverkusen was 11 points ahead of Wolfsburg; now the gap is only four. Leverkusen has lost its last three games, including a 4-0 drubbing at home on Tuesday by Paris Saint-Germain. It is now 16 points behind Bayern Munich.
Wolfsburg has won its last three and is now in fifth place, beginning to look at Champions League slots.
SCHALKE'S REVIVAL
Schalke has won all four matches after the mid-season break - the best start in a new year in 12 years - and is two points behind Dortmund in fourth place.
Schalke is unbeaten is six matches as it hosts Mainz on Friday. Mainz already has 10 victories this season and has won four of its last five, but has beaten Schalke only once in the past 11 games.
Schalke's coach Jens Keller appeared to be on the way out late last year after a string of pale performances but the club stuck with him and Schalke's fortunes have picked up, especially with the return from injury of striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Full Time score : Schalke 0 Mainz 0
STUTTGART'S SLIDE
Another former Bundesliga champion in free fall is Stuttgart, which has lost six straight and is two points away from the danger zone as it prepares to host Hertha Berlin.
With five wins, four draws and 12 defeats, Stuttgart has never had a worse record after 21 rounds in the club's history.
Promoted Hertha is a surprise of the season sitting in eighth place. It has spoiled its record by losing three of its last four matches but has won four of its last five away from home.
EVEN ODDS
Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen are both at 21 points and trying to leave the danger zone behind them as they head to their showdown in Bremen.
Bremen has won only one of its last 10 matches. Bundesliga statistics say both teams concede early, but Eintracht has also lost a dozen points by giving away late goals.
Eintracht failed to win a home match in the first half of the season, the main reason it is so low in the standings. Its top scorer Alexandar Meier will be making his 200th Bundesliga appearance.
Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich revert their attention to domestic matters at Hannover on Sunday after a successful midweek European trip.
The German champions remain on course to defend their Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal titles after taking the upper hand in their European last-16 tie with Arsenal on Wednesday.
Goals from Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller ensured Bayern claimed a 2-0 first-leg advantage at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday and, provided other results go their way on Saturday, Bayern could be 19 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga by the end of the weekend.
Bayern have been irresistible in the German top flight so far this season and are both the most potent and defensively sound side in the Bundesliga - scoring 57 goals and conceding just nine.
However, Guardiola's men face a potentially tricky test at the HDI-Arena, with Hannover recording wins against four of the current top seven sides in the league in 2013-14.
While Hannover sit 11th, Tayfun Korkut's men have picked up wins against Schalke, Wolfsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Mainz this season. And Hannover have also lost only once at home in the league in their last 12 games.
However, Hannover's recent record against Bayern does not make for pleasant reading, having failed to beat the defending champions since a 2-1 victory in October 2011.
Since then, Bayern have won all five meetings in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and conceding just three.
There may be doubts over the fitness of Xherdan Shaqiri, Franck Ribery and Holger Badstuber ahead of the fixture, but Guardiola is pleased with the progress Bayern are making in his first season at the Allianz Arena.
"The players understand a bit more every day about how we work and our ideas," he said on Friday.
"We talk every day about what we're doing right and what's going wrong. So it's normal that we're getting to know each other better.
"We can keep improving on our already high quality."
If Hannover are able to spring a first league defeat on Bayern since October 2012, they can put further daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.
Provided Hoffenheim do not take maximum points against Borussia Monchengladbach this weekend, a win for Hannover would put them in 10th, although they will need to avoid a third straight league game without scoring to do so.
However, Korkut has faith in Hannover's ability to ask questions of "one of the best teams in the world".
"Bayern do not have many weaknesses (but) we can hurt them at points, we have the quality and the speed," he told the club's official website.
