Grafite sets Wolfsburg back on track
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Your support makes all the difference.Hat-trick hero Grafite believes Wolfsburg have rediscovered the form which swept them to the Bundesliga title last season after their 3-1 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow.
The Wolves have started the defence of their domestic title in tentative fashion but were much-improved on their Champions League debut on Tuesday night.
"We knew that the Champions League is on another level, it's the top level of the European game," explained the striker.
"I think that we showed the same spirit as last season and that helped us win a difficult game.
"I'm really happy to have scored three goals that have helped the team win a very tough match.
"It was difficult for us as it was our first match in the Champions League, but I think that we played well against a good team.
"Now we have to focus on the Bundesliga."
President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has welcomed claims that Franck Ribery is keen to discuss a new contract with Bayern Munich.
The France star was heavily linked with a big-money move to Spain and England during the summer transfer window, but Bayern successfully held off interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Earlier in the week, Ribery hinted that he was ready to discuss a new deal with the Bundesliga giants.
"We've noted what was said. We'll deal with it in a sensible way. We'll talk the matter over internally in peace and quiet and hold talks when the time's right," said Rummenigge.
"But I certainly won't be announcing exactly when we'll do it. There's no time pressure.
"Given how long his current Bayern deal has to run, we can sleep peacefully at night, for the moment at least.
"We've always said it would be good to bind a player of this quality to Bayern Munich over the long term.
"Some people have tried to drive a wedge between Bayern and Franck Ribery or between the coach and Franck Ribery. This effort was doomed to failure from the start."
Elsewhere, Koln's miserable start to the season has continued following confirmation that Adil Chihi is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Morocco international striker has been ruled out for at least four weeks following ankle surgery.
Chihi limped out of last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Schalke which left Zvonimir Soldo's side bottom of the Bundesliga table after picking up just one point from their first five games.
Koln have scored just three league goals all season, with the 21-year-old striker claiming one of those.
Now the former Italy international claims he has no plans to retire despite two injury-plagued seasons.
"Do I feel satisfied? I don't even know what that word means. I will not stop. The best is when you go beyond," he added.
"It's not about being hungry, but the will to carry on and stay motivated."
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