Runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich need to adjust to life without captain Philipp Lahm when they host Hoffenheim on Saturday ahead of next week’s Champions League match at Man City.
The 31-year-old Lahm has been ruled out for the next three months after fracturing his ankle in training, depriving coach Pep Guardiola of one of his key assets, either at right-back or in the defensive midfield.
Bayern’s nearest rivals, second-placed Wolfsburg, are chasing a sixth consecutive victory at Schalke 04 on Saturday. Belgium winger Kevin de Bruyne is in outstanding form, creating four goals in their last two matches.
At the other end of the table, 15th-placed Borussia Dortmund are set to welcome back Germany winger Marco Reus after an ankle injury as they attempt to pull clear of the relegation places against Paderborn.l
