Loew: Hoffenheim - plus Hamburg, Leverkusen - to challenge Bayern

Hamburg  - TSG Hoffenheim will continue to shine while SV Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen could also pose a threat to Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title ambitions, Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

Speaking ahead of the Friday night Bundesliga restart with the duel between Hamburg and Munich which he will attend, Loew told the Bild daily that he doesn't necessarily expect Bayern to romp to another title.

"Everyone is speaking of Hoffenheim and Bayern, but I rate Hamburg a title contender as well because the team is quite robust. I also consider Leverkusen strong. They will play at the top," Loew said.

Hoffenheim top the league on goal difference over Munich, with Hamburg and Hertha Berlin just two points behind and Leverkusen three.

Loew said that Munich played on a very high level ahead of the winter break but that their aim to do well in the Champions League could cost them plenty of energy for the domestic league.

However, the national team coach also said that Bayern, who routed VFB Stuttgart 5-1 in the cup on Tuesday, has lots of confidence because it can reach out for three titles.

Looking at surprise package Hoffenheim, Loew said that the promoted team had enough quality to compensate the season-ending knee injury of league top scorer Vedad Ibisevic and ailments of other players.

"I don't expect Hoffenheim to crack ... The team is not feeding of the promotion euphoria, but of its quality ... Hoffenheim can fully concentrate on the league. I can imagine that the team wants to prove that it can do well without the injured players," said Loew. (dpa)

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