Hamburg prepare for ultimate test against Bayern
Despite a rash of injuries and underwhelming home form, Hamburger SV are planning on delivering the shock of the season so far when champions FC Bayern München head north for Friday's Rückrunde curtain-raiser.
Injury problems
Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia admitted that everything would have to go his team's way if they are to beat Bayern on Friday.
"We will need a special performance," he said. "We hope that we've given the team a plan which is good enough to compete with Bayern."
The northern club finished the first half of the season in a solid tenth place, and can look back on a successful campaign so far, having largely avoided the relegation fight.
The omens are far from good ahead of the clash with Bayern, however. The champions thrashed HSV 5-0 in Munich on the opening day of the season. Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski, meanwhile, have more goals between them this term than the entire Hamburg team put together.
Hamburg's home form has also been suspect, with Labbadia's team notching up just two home victories so far this season.
