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Starts to managerial reigns do not get much harder than the one facing Mirko Slomka at Hamburg, with Borussia Dortmund visiting on Saturday.
The 46-year-old replaced Bert van Marwijk at the struggling Bundesliga side on Monday, and will be hoping to put an end to their eight-game losing run in all competitions.
Hamburg have plummeted down the league table since November and last weekend's 4-2 defeat to bottom club Eintracht Braunschweig sealed Van Marwijk's fate.
They are now one point off the bottom of the table and face a fight to avoid a first-ever relegation from the top flight.
Conversely, Dortmund arrive at the Imtech Arena full of confidence after four successive league wins, in which they have scored 12 goals while only conceding two.
Jurgen Klopp's side have only lost twice on their travels in the league this season and scored five in their last away Bundesliga match at Werder Bremen earlier this month.
Dortmund suffered an uncharacteristic slump in form before the mid-season break, but they have not lost since the league resumed and are slowly closing in on second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
A 4-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, combined with Leverkusen's 2-1 defeat to Schalke, saw Dortmund move to within a point and rekindle hopes of finishing runners-up behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Hamburg's recent record against Dortmund will give Slomka a glimmer of hope - they have won two of their last three meetings but were convincingly beaten 6-2 at Signal Iduna Park earlier this season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski each netting twice.
The hosts will be without captain Rafael van der Vaart after he was ruled out with a torn ankle ligament, so the pressure will be on top scorer Pierre-Michel Lasogga to fire them to victory.
Dortmund's injury list is slowly lightening with Mats Hummels and Marco Reus both returning to training on Wednesday, leaving only Neven Subotic and Jakub Blaszczykowski (both knee) out.
Bundesliga more important than Champions League, says Guardiola
21 February 2014
Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola believes winning the Bundesliga is more important than retaining the UEFA Champions League.
The reigning German and European champions picked up a 2-0 win at Arsenal on Wednesday, putting them in the driving seat for the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 clash in three weeks' time.
However, with a trip to Hannover coming up on Sunday, Guardiola insists domestic glory remains the priority.
Bayern currently hold a 16-point advantage in the Bundesliga, having dropped only four points this season.
"The Champions League is the most prestigious title, but the Bundesliga is the most important," said Guardiola.
"When we'll win the Bundesliga is irrelevant, but it is the most difficult one to win.
"For me it's a dream to be able to try and win trophies with this club."
Guardiola has been impressed with the way Bayern's players have adapted to his tactical approach.
"When you play in midweek it's not easy, but the Bayern players know how to cope with it," he continued.
"Bayern's record against Hannover is good, but after a Champions League away game (it) is always dangerous.
"With every passing game the players gain a greater understanding of my mechanisms.
"Possession for possession's sake is pointless. Touches aren't important; creating chances is.
"We have talented players capable of creating chances against experienced backlines."
Bayern are currently on a 46-match unbeaten run in the league, but Guardiola is relaxed over the prospect of that streak coming to an end.
"We will lose at some point, but the most important thing will be to work out why when it happens," he added. "We can still improve as a side."
Bundesliga Wrap: Bayern thrash Hannover, stubborn Bremen hold Frankfurt
24 February 2014
Bayern Munich beat Hannover 4-0 to go 47 Bundesliga games unbeaten on Sunday, while Eintracht Frankfurt drew 0-0 with Werder Bremen.
Hannover initially threatened Bayern on the break, but the champions quickly became alert to the hosts' game plan and stifled them to great effect before unsurprisingly taking a 25th-minute lead.
Thomas Muller surged into the area with a late run from deep to head in a precise Rafinha cross and Hannover rarely looked like getting back into the contest.
Thiago Alcantara doubled Bayern's lead nine minutes later, but he owed much to the assist.
Bastian Schweinsteiger chipped a pin-point pass into the area for Thiago and the midfielder powerful struck past Ron-Robert Zieler after bringing the ball down confidently.
Bayern had to wait until the 59th minute before their next goal as Muller slotted in his second following a clever flick from Mario Mandzukic.
The runaway leaders added a fourth for good measure seven minutes later as Mandzukic deservedly found the net with a header from another Rafinha cross, meaning Bayern end the weekend 19 points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Hannover stay 11th.
The day's other match saw Eintracht Frankfurt held by 10-man Werder Bremen at the Commerzbank-Arena, despite dominating from start to finish.
Former Real Madrid attacker Joselu missed a great chance early on for the hosts, but he could only poke wide when one-on-one with Raphael Wolf.
Alexander Meier hit the outside of the right post from a free-kick and the hosts were given even more of an advantage in the 33rd minute as Felix Kroos received a second yellow card.
Frankfurt were consigned to a draw in the final three minutes as Meier headed wide from close range, meaning they stay in 13th with 22 points, above Bremen on goal difference.
Jurgen Klopp was magnanimous in defeat following Borussia Dormund's 3-0 reverse to Hamburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
In Mirko Slomka's first game in charge, the hosts put on a sparkling display, taking the lead three minutes before half-time thanks to Petr Jiracek's header.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga doubled the advantage on 58 minutes, before a 50-yard wonder-strike from Hakan Calhanoglu in stoppage-time put the seal on an emphatic Hamburg victory.
It was a bitter blow for Dortmund, who had come into the game on the back of four successive wins in all competitions and will now seek to regroup ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 tie with Zenit.
Klopp was gracious following the loss, Dortmund's first since December 21.
"Congratulations to Hamburg for a well deserved victory," he said.
"We wanted to change everything at half-time. We changed the system and we were more lively.
"Hamburg fought, we also fought, but ultimately we have not done enough to bring something away here.
The Bayer Leverkusen striker conceded that his team were unable to recover from two second-half goals from Wolfsburg as they fell to a 3-1 Bundesliga defeat
Stefan Kiessling expressed his frustration at Bayer Leverkusen's inability to respond to Wolfsburg's second-half performance on Saturday.
Die Wolfe took an early lead through a Bas Dost strike before Sidney Sam struck for the visitors to level the scores on the stroke of half-time.
However, second-half goals from Luiz Gustavo and Ricardo Rodriguez respectively were enough to secure a 3-1 win for Dieter Hecking's team and condemn Leverkusen to a fourth straight loss in all competitions.
Speaking after the game, Kiessling admitted that the two strikes after the interval were decisive blows and left Bayer struggling to take anything from the match.
"The goals scored by Luiz Gustavo and Ricardo Rodriguez were the deciding moments of this game," the 30-year-old German told reporters.
"We always tried to get to the ball first, which we did well at times, but falling behind cost us dearly."
The defeat is a serious dent in Leverkusen's Champions League ambitions as they look to secure qualification for next season's competition after a 4-0 reversal at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in their last-16 first leg tie last Tuesday.
Wolfsburg's fourth consecutive win in all competitions took them to fifth place in the Bundesliga, just four points behind second-placed Bayer, but goal-scorer Gustavo refused to get carried away over his side's long-term aims.
"We're only concentrating on our targets and our style of play," the Brazilian midfielder said.
"It's working really well right now. At the end of the day our aim is still to achieve something of note this season."
The holding midfielder faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a knock in the heavy defeat against Hamburg
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp will have to make do without the services of Sven Bender for up to 10 weeks after he picked up an injury in their 3-0 Bundesliga defeat against Hamburg.
The holding midfielder picked up a knock in the opening 45 minutes and was consequently taken off at half-time.
Bender underwent a series of test on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury and BVB have now announced that he will be out of action for an estimated two-and-a-half months.
"Sven Bender has suffered an inflammation of the pubic bone. Team doctor Markus Braun reached his diagnosis after the midfielder underwent further examination on Sunday," a statement on the official Dortmund website reads.
"Bender needs to avoid any sporting exertion for six weeks and Braun predicts a subsequent four-week recuperation period."
The 24-year-old has made 27 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund so far this season.
Fit-again Schweinsteiger targets Bundesliga and Champions League double
Feb 24, 2014 12:18:00 AM
The Germany international, who spent three months out of action with an ankle injury, managed to come through 70 minutes unscathed in Sunday's 4-0 rout of Hannover
Bastian Schweinsteiger is determined to help Bayern Munich retain both their Bundesliga and Champions League titles after making an impressive return to the first team on Sunday.
The midfielder spent three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury but managed 70 minutes in Sunday's 4-0 demolition of Hannover, as Pep Guardiola's men moved 19 points clear in the German top flight.
"It's great to be back," Scweinsteiger told reporters after the game. "I feel good and it's great to come through it unscathed.
"The Bayern training sessions are high quality, but I've got to use these minutes. I'm not getting any younger, but with my ankle injury games like this are crucial.
"Pep gave me a lot of encouragement, but I've got to be fit in order to help the team.
"Our priority is the Bundesliga and becoming the first team to defend the Champions League.”
Elsewhere, Guardiola was full of praise for reserve goalkeeper Tom Starke, who kept a clean sheet while deputising for regular No.1 Manuel Neuer.
"Tom Starke deserved a start," the Bayern boss explained. "It's just difficult for him being behind the best in the world [Neuer].
"But I was delighted to give him a chance and I was pleased with his performance.
"My players executed the game plan and we managed to take the chance to extend our lead at the top."
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sven Bender is set for a 10-week spell on the sidelines that threatens to end his FIFA World Cup hopes.
The 24-year-old Germany international was substituted at half-time on Saturday as Dortmund suffered a shock 3-0 defeat against Hamburg.
Although he could return before the Bundesliga campaign ends on May 10, Bender will have little time to prove his fitness prior to Joachim Low announcing his squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A statement on Dortmund's official website read: "Sven Bender has suffered an inflammation of the pubic joint.
"The full extent of the injury was revealed after a scan by BVB team doctor Markus Braun at the Knappschaft Hospital in Dortmund on Sunday.
"Bender has been told to rest completely for six weeks, after which he will need approximately four more weeks to build up strength again, according to Dr Braun."
Bender, the twin brother of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars, has earned seven caps for Germany.
Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was briefly upset with Bayern Munich team mate Arjen Robben when the Dutch winger failed to pass to him during Sunday's 4-0 win at Hanover 96.
Reuters Feb 23, 2014
Bastian Schweinsteiger lors du match Hanovre-Bayern le 23/02/2014
Schweinsteiger threw his gloves to the ground in anger and complained to coach Pep Guardiola when he was substituted soon after. He later said that dribbling specialist Robben was the cause of his frustration.
"When I went off I was upset Robben didn't give me the ball when I ran behind him," Schweinsteiger told Sky Sports Deutschland, laughing off the incident.
"At this age I don't run as much but I'm not the first not to get the ball when chasing Arjen."
Schweinsteiger added there were no hard feelings.
"Arjen is a great player and we're lucky to have him in the team," he said after Bayern went 19 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Veteran goalkeeper Alex Manninger has penned a one-year contract extension at Bundesliga outfit Augsburg.
The Austrian's current deal was due to expire at the end of the current season, but he will now stay at the SGL Arena until the end of the 2015 campaign.
Manninger has started 10 league matches for Augsburg this term, recently returning to the side because of a muscle injury to Marwin Hitz.
The 36-year-old - who joined the club in November 2012 - had no hesitation in extending his stay.
"I've stressed many times that Augsburg and the Bundesliga are just the right challenge for me at the twilight of my career," he told the club's official website.
"The team and the whole club are developing so well. Since my bones are also playing along, and I feel fit, I would like to continue being part of this development next season and carry on savouring the fantastic atmosphere in the Bundesliga and particularly in the Augsburg Arena."
Augsburg's director of sport Stefan Reuter added: "Alex Manninger is an absolute model professional who always puts the team first.
"Not only have his performances made him a cornerstone of our side in the second half of this season, but he was equally important last season and will help us in the future too with his sporting and human qualities."
Manninger has previously represented Arsenal and Juventus among others, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Serie A during his career.
Hoffenheim's Fabian Johnson will join fellow Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old has agreed a deal until June 2018 at Borussia Park, and will join up with Lucien Favre's side at the end of his current deal with Hoffenheim.
Johnson is equally adept playing at full-back or in midfield, and sporting director Max Eberl was thrilled to capture the versatile United States international.
"Fabian Johnson is a very interesting free transfer, he can play defensively and offensively on both wings," he told the club's official website.
"We are pleased he has chosen us."
Johnson came through the ranks at German second-tier outfit 1860 Munich, before joining Wolfsburg in July 2009.
He subsequently moved to Hoffenheim in June 2011, but it was announced that he would leave the club earlier in February.
Johnson has 16 caps for the USA, and is hoping to be a part of Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil later this year.
Dortmund can still have successful season, says Klopp
24 February 2014
Borussia Dortmund head coach Jurgen Klopp is confident of winning silverware this season, but concedes his side's title chances are over.
Dortmund slumped to a 3-0 defeat at struggling Hamburg on Saturday, a result that ended a run of three consecutive league victories.
The loss means Dortmund trail reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich by 20 points and Klopp knows his team are too far off the pace.
However, Klopp guided Dortmund to the final of the UEFA Champions League last season and is preparing for a renewed assault on Europe's premier club competition in 2013-14.
Zenit are Dortmund's last-16 opponents - the first leg takes place in Russia on Tuesday - and the German side are also in contention for the DFB-Pokal. And Klopp sees no reason why his side cannot enjoy a successful end to the campaign.
"Some clubs are under pressure to make the final (of the Champions League) every year, but at other clubs everything has to come together just to get there in the first place," he told FIFA.com.
"We're somewhere in between. My priority for 2014 is to have my team complete the second half of the season in better physical shape. We've been hardly recognisable due to all our injuries.
"We needn't bother talking about the championship. Bayern Munich are the best team in the world at the moment, and unfortunately they play in the Bundesliga, so we're up against them all the time.
"We don't have a chance in the league any more. But why would we write off our chances in the other two competitions before we've been knocked out?
"We're strong when we have everyone fit, and even when we don't have everyone fit we still have the desire. We've proved that and that's why we're in a relatively good position. We want to make the most of it."
Dortmund fan banned until 2020 for shouting 'Sieg Heil'
Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:28pm GMT
(Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund have banned a supporter from their stadium until 2020 for shouting "Sieg Heil" during a minute's silence before Saturday's game at Hamburg SV.
Dortmund said the man was led away by Hamburg stewards after the Nazi salute and given a three-year nationwide ban from football stadiums. Although that is the maximum allowed for a nationwide ban, Dortmund added their own six-year ban on top.
The man, who was not identified, interrupted the silence to honour former Hamburg physiotherapist Hermann Rieger, who died last week, Dortmund said in a statement.
"Borussia Dortmund stands for tolerance and diversity with the utmost conviction and will fight against racism and intolerance with every available means," the club said.
(Reporting by Brian Homewood, editing by Robert Woodward)
The veteran BVB skipper joked his side would not be able to afford to pay the Brazilian and is delighted with his side's win over Zenit
Sebastian Kehl has claimed that Hulk asked if he could join Borussia Dortmund in the summer during his side's Champions League meeting with Zenit St Petersburg.
The German outfit will be in the market for a new star forward when Robert Lewandowski leaves the club for Bayern Munich at the season's end.
However, the veteran midfielder has joked that his club could scarcely afford the Brazilian's wages were he to move to Signal Iduna Park.
"Hulk asked me if could play in Dortmund from the summer, but I don't know if we could afford him!" he told reporters.
Reflecting on the match, Kehl said that his side cannot afford to start thinking about the last eight, despite their 4-2 win in Russia, adding that the victory was entirely different to Saturday's 3-0 loss to Hamburg.
"It would be silly to say that the quarter-final place has been booked, because we still have a game to play yet," he said.
"Anything can happen in football, but we have taken a giant step forward. We've done a lot and scored four away goals. If we aren't stupid and work well, we should be able to get through after the home game.
"It was a completely different game [to Hamburg]. We were compact and used Zenit's errors to take our chances. In Hamburg, it was the other way around."
Hertha Berlin's European hopes suffered a further blow as their poor home form continued with a 0-0 draw against struggling Freiburg.
Although Hertha remain firmly in the running for UEFA Europa League qualification, Jos Luhukay's men have now won just one of their last seven Bundesliga fixtures at the Olympiastadion.
Sami Allagui had a golden opportunity to score inside the first minute of the encounter, but missed the target to set the tone for an evening of frustration.
While seventh-placed Hertha will be annoyed at missing an opportunity to steal a march on their rivals, Freiburg will surely be content with a priceless point in their battle for survival.
Allagui spurned two chances prior to the interval, while the visitors could have moved in front when Vladimir Darida fired straight at Thomas Kraft following a neat passing move.
Darida forced Kraft into further action in the second half, while Freiburg goalkeeper Oliver Baumann made a less-than-convincing stop to deny Adrian Ramos - the primary threat for Hertha in the closing stages.
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has indicated defender Mats Hummels could return to face Nuremberg on Saturday.
Germany international Hummels has seen his season heavily disrupted by fitness issues, with the 25-year-old suffering another ankle injury in a friendly earlier this month shortly after returning from a similar problem that had kept him out since November.
But the centre-back has now returned to full training and may be in contention for the visit of Nuremberg as Dortmund look to return to winning ways in the Bundesliga.
"Mats Hummels trained normally yesterday. I'll decide on him tomorrow," Klopp said.
Dortmund bounced back from a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Hamburg last weekend with an impressive 4-2 triumph at Zenit in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg.
However, Klopp is not expecting a straightforward task against Nuremberg, who have lost only to runaway league leaders Bayern Munich in their last eight top-flight games.
"We want to make amends in the Bundesliga," the coach added. "Again. We want to prove ourselves against Nuremberg.
"Nuremberg have an outstanding coach in Gertjan Verbeek. His composure is very important. They also have a great team.
"I don't think any fans are expecting us to just brush past Nuremberg. They've earned a lot of respect."
Bayern Munich represent daunting hosts on Saturday for a Schalke side seeking to bounce back from a mauling at the hands of Real Madrid.
The Gelsenkirchen outfit were subjected to a humiliating 6-1 thrashing by Real on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.
Schalke had entered the fixture in confident mood, with Real having won only once in 25 previous visits to German opposition.
Yet Real are not top of La Liga by accident and a scintillating display from the Spanish side, which saw Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo all score twice, has seemingly put paid to any hopes Schalke have of reaching the quarter-finals.
Life is not likely to get any easier for Jens Keller's men when they travel to the Allianz Arena to face runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern.
Pep Guardiola's charges have been simply unstoppable in Germany's top flight this season, and their relentless march towards a defence of the Bundesliga title shows no signs of being slowed.
The unbeaten Bavarians have dropped points on just two occasions this term thanks to a mix of irresistible attacking displays and defensive solidarity, highlighted by the fact Bayern boast comfortably the best offensive and defensive record in the league with 61 goals scored and just nine conceded.
Bayern may have swept opponents aside this term but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who was rested last weekend, has warned his team-mates not to underestimate the club he started his career with.
"Schalke are always a strong opponent. You know you have to be careful and you will never win easily against them. We are highly motivated and we need to have the right attitude for the match," he said.
Prior to their heavy defeat against Real, Schalke had displayed excellent form, winning five times in an unbeaten run of league games spanning seven matches.
However, Schalke have lost six games in a row against Bayern without scoring, conceding at least four in the previous three meetings between the teams.
Thomas Muller misses out for Bayern this weekend due to a hamstring injury, while the game could come too soon for Franck Ribery (thigh) and Xherdan Shaqiri (hamstring).
Schalke forward Julian Draxler made his first start since December against Real after an ankle injury and was able to complete the full 90 minutes.
Borussia Dortmund welcome in-form Nuremberg to Signal Iduna Park on Saturday desperate to maintain a top-three place in the Bundesliga.
After a 3-0 defeat to crisis-club Hamburg last Saturday, Dortmund missed the chance to move into second place in the table, although Jurgen Klopp's men are only a point adrift of nearest rivals Bayer Leverkusen, who also lost last weekend.
Nuremberg head to Dortmund with four wins in their last five matches, a run that has seen them climb away from the relegation zone and put four points between themselves and Hamburg in 16th.
Gertjan Verbeek's men have not lost away from home since November and have only been defeated three times on their travels in the league this season – at defending champions Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Dortmund have not made Signal Iduna Park the fortress that it has been in previous campaigns as Klopp's side lost three league games in succession at the end of 2013.
Klopp will at least be pleased with the response of his players as Dortmund put the defeat to Hamburg behind them with an emphatic 4-2 win over Zenit in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
And Klopp expects his side to pick up where they left off in Russia against Nuremberg.
"It is going to go to the finish in the league," Klopp said. "Which makes the defeat in Hamburg so annoying.
"Three points there would have done us incredibly well.
"Let's play like we did against St Petersburg, (and) pick up enough points to qualify (for next season's Champions League)."
Although Dortmund have struggled to be consistent in 2013-14, last season's runners-up will be buoyed by the fact that they remain unbeaten in their last 10 league meetings against Nuremberg. In fact, you have to go back to November 1990 to find the last time that Nuremberg won at Dortmund.
Verbeek will be without midfielder Makoto Hasebe due to a knee problem, but he does have Josip Drmic available, with the Swiss striker having scored six in his last seven appearances.
Mats Hummels is back in contention for Dortmund following his knee injury, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be keen to continue his goalscoring record of four in as many Bundesliga outings.
Runaway leader Bayern Munich can take another step toward the Bundesliga title with a win at home over Schalke, chastened by Wednesday's 6-1 rout at home by Real Madrid in the Champions League. Bayer Leverkusen hopes to end its alarming slump against Mainz while Borussia Dortmund hosts improving Nuremberg, and Werder Bremen clashes with Hamburger SV for the Bundesliga's 100th northern derby.
Here are five things to know ahead of the 23rd round of games this weekend:
NO RESPITE FOR SCHALKE
Schalke needs to get over its Champions League humiliation quickly to avoid more at Bayern on Saturday. Schalke general manager Horst Heldt believes Bayern is "maybe even a tick better" than Madrid and he called on his young side to take lessons from losing to the Spanish league leader. It was Schalke's heaviest ever defeat in Europe but the players want to forget it as quickly as possible.
"We have no choice but to write off the game," Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler said. "We have to get it out of our heads and prepare for the duel with Bayern."
Schalke's woe was compounded by injuries to attacking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and defender Sead Kolasinac.
UNSTOPPABLE BAYERN
Defending champion Bayern is well on its way toward wrapping up its 22nd Bundesliga title. Pep Guardiola's side enjoys a 19-point lead over Leverkusen, is unbeaten in a league record 47 games and has only dropped points twice in 22 games so far this season. No other side has had such an advantage at this stage in 51 seasons of the Bundesliga. Bayern can theoretically seal the title on March 15, though the end of the month looks more likely. Either way, Bayern looks set to better last year's quickest ever title won after 28 games on April 6, 2013.
Bayern is also in a good position to become the first side to complete a Bundesliga season unbeaten and the first Bundesliga side to win all its home games. It can also set records for points gathered, fewest goals conceded, the most clean sheets, the most wins within a season, and - depending on further slip-ups from Leverkusen and Dortmund - the biggest gap over the runner-up.
HIGH-STAKE NORTHERN DERBY
Bremen hosts Hamburg with pride and - more importantly - points at stake on Saturday, with both sides fighting relegation. Bremen has one win from 11 games and hasn't won any of its last five, leaving it just three points above Hamburg in the relegation playoff place. Hamburg looked doomed after seven successive league losses but revived hopes under new coach Mirko Slomka last weekend with a 3-0 win over Dortmund.
"It will be a very special game," said Bremen coach Robin Dutt, who has to adjust for suspended defenders Felix Kroos and Luca Caldirola.
Slomka intends to build on last week's surprise win. "It's the result of hard work," Slomka said. "We're not going to stop working now or relax any day."
RELEGATION SIX-POINTER
Eintracht Frankfurt hosts Stuttgart for another relegation six-pointer on Sunday. Stuttgart has lost seven in a row and coach Thomas Schneider is in danger of sharing his predecessor Bruno Labbadia's fate. Labbadia was fired after three league games.
"The trust is absolutely there," Stuttgart sports director Fredi Bobic insisted. "It's essential to think from game to game, nothing else. The ultimate indicator is how the team presents itself."
Frankfurt is arguably paying the price for its good Europa League run.
Last week's frustrating 0-0 draw with Bremen came after a commendable 2-2 draw at Porto. The return leg is to be played Thursday, and will likely affect preparations for Stuttgart. Frankfurt is already without Pirmin Schwegler (suspended) while fellow midfielder Sebastian Rode has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a right knee injury.
LEVERKUSEN AT A LOSS
Bayer Leverkusen is undergoing a crisis of faith after four successive defeats across all competitions, seven losses in nine games.
"They were the worst 10 days," said striker Stefan Kiessling, referring to the German Cup loss to second-division Kaiserslautern, the 2-1 league defeat to Schalke, the 4-0 humiliation at home by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and last weekend's 3-1 loss at Wolfsburg.
Individual mistakes, a lack of concentration and a shaky defense have all contributed to make Leverkusen's best-ever start to a Bundesliga season all but a distant memory.
"We haven't lost our belief," said defender Philipp Wollscheid, who won't be accompanied by Gonzalo Castro or Emir Spahic against Mainz due to suspension.
Mainz has lost only one of its last eight games, putting it firmly in the running for a Europa League qualification place.
Schalke coach Jens Keller lambasted the team's showing in the 5-1 demolition at runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday.
The Gelschenkirchen outfit were 4-0 adrift inside half an hour at the Allianz Arena, with Arjen Robben netting twice and David Alaba and Mario Mandzukic also getting their names on the scoresheet.
An own goal from Rafinha brought a second-half consolation for Schalke, but Robben deservedly grabbed his hat-trick and Bayern's fifth from the penalty spot in the 77th minute.
The embarrassing defeat came just three days after Schalke suffered a 6-1 home loss to Real Madrid in a UEFA Champion's League last-16 first-leg tie.
And Keller was unable to hide his frustration, insisting that the team must apologise to supporters for the "extraordinarily bad" display.
Speaking to Sky Television, he said: "It was an appalling first half. It was catastrophic. It really was an extraordinarily bad performance.
"We fell apart. We conceded a deflected goal after two and a half minutes. You could see from then on we hadn't put Wednesday's defeat to Real behind us.
"We were frightened and did none of the things we'd said we would do. We owe our fans an apology. We had more courage in the second half. It's okay to lose here, but not like that."
Despite the crushing defeat, Schalke had previously gone seven league matches without a loss and Keller's men remain in the final Champions League spot.
