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Wolfsburg look to upset Man United

September 29, 2009 16:26 IST
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VfL Wolfsburg striker Grafite is optimistic the German side have the team spirit to end Manchester United's impressive Champions League home record when the sides meet in Group B on Wednesday.

United, aiming to reach a third consecutive Champions League final, have not lost at home in the competition since a 1-0 defeat by AC Milan in February 2005.

But Brazilian Grafite and Edin Dzeko of Bosnia-Herzegovina scored 54 goals between them last season to help Wolfsburg win the Bundesliga for the first time.

"We are looking forward to going there," Grafite said.

"We want to have a good match and bring back one or three points. That is our objective.

"This is a team that has grown together, has had difficulties together but is going through a marvellous period together. There is a brotherhood together on the pitch and in the dressing room," added the striker, who grabbed a hat-trick in Wolfsburg's opening group victory over CSKA Moscow.

For United, Foster is likely to start the Wolfsburg match and has received the backing of defender Nemanja Vidic.

"I feel very comfortable with Ben in goal and I have great confidence in him," the Serbian said.

"The more games you play with the same keeper or the same defenders the more you learn how to play with each other."

Bayern Blues

Bayern Munich has told a restless striker Mario Gomez to keep quiet as they prepare for their Champions League match against Juventus.

Gomez complained last week that he was being substituted too often and was promptly left out of the starting line-up altogether for Saturday's match with Bundesliga leaders Hamburg SV.

"I spoke with his agent a few days ago and told him that I advise Mario urgently to stop complaining," Bayern's general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

"When you play for Bayern Munich, you must work hard and give everything."

Bayern made an impressive start to their campaign in Group A, winning 3-0 at Maccabi Haifa two weeks ago.

Juventus, who drew 1-1 at home to Girondins Bordeaux in their Champions League opener, again lacked a killer instinct in Sunday's 1-1 Serie A draw with Bologna where the visitors equalised in stoppage time.

With centre back Fabio Cannavaro injured, the defence has looked shaky and Gianluigi Buffon has often had to show why he is regarded as one the world's best goalkeepers.

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Source: REUTERS
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