Nicolai Müller (l.) will be looking to get the ball past Manuel Neuer when Hamburg face holders Bayern in the DFB Cup on Wednesday
Gladbach are keen to extend their 15-game unbeaten streak when they take on Frankfurt in the other all-Bundesliga affair
Dieter Hecking (c.) is set to name his strongest side for the visit of second division Heidenheim with last season’s semi-finalists not wanting to take any risks
Cologne – Cup fever takes over during the midweek schedule as clubs hope to take the next step towards the 2014/15 final in Berlin with victory in the second round of the DFB Cup.
A place in the last 16 is at stake, and bundesliga.com rounds up what can be expected from Wednesday night’s Cup ties involving top-flight sides…
Hamburger SV – FC Bayern München (kick-off 19:30 GMT/20:30 CET)
Borussia Mönchengladbach have shown them the way, and now Hamburger SV hope to follow suit by eliminating holders FC Bayern München from the DFB Cup. HSV – one of only three clubs to have denied Bayern victory at home and abroad this season – entertain the dominant force in German football with coach Josef Zinnbauer, fresh from extending his contract, in optimistic mood. “If we can get our fantastic fans right behind us, then maybe we’ve got a chance,” he said. They will probably have to do so without Valon Behrami, who picked up a knock in the 3-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin at the weekend.
Bayern’s status as the trailblazers of the world game was underlined on Tuesday when no fewer than six members of their squad were named among the 23 nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014 award.”They can be proud of themselves,” said coach Pep Guardiola. He will be proud of them if they cross the next hurdle of their season in Hamburg. “It’s going to be very, very important,” he added. “Hamburg are aggressive and we saw that in the league.” Medhi Benatia is suspended due to a ban which carries over from the Italian Cup.
Final training ahead of #HSVFCB is done. Now the journey to Hamburg begins with high spirits and full focus. #DFBCup pic.twitter.com/3Ge62cYAZ3
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) October 28, 2014
Eintracht Frankfurt – Borussia Mönchengladbach (kick-off 19:30 GMT/20:30 CET)
The DFB Cup has certainly captured the imagination of Eintracht Frankfurt fans with the Commerzbank Arena set to be a sell-out for the visit of Borussia Mönchengladbach, after almost 45,000 tickets had been sold with over 24 hours still to go until kick-off. The Eagles, who were on the wrong end of a nine-goal spectacle against Stuttgart on Saturday, are hoping to bounce back against a Foals’ side yet to suffer defeat in the current campaign.
There were no goals between Mönchengladbach and Bayern, but still plenty of entertainment and enough to confirm that the Foals are a force to be reckoned with this season. On course for qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, Gladbach will be keen to head into 2015 in three competitions by winning in Frankfurt, although they will have to do so without the injured Granit Xhaka. “I’m sure our fantastic streak will continue even without me,” said the Swiss midfielder in view of a 15-game unbeaten streak the Foals are currently on.
CUP TIE44,800 tickets have been sold for the 2nd round DFB Cup tie v @borussia_en Mönchengladbach.#SGE #Eintracht pic.twitter.com/y1obSJ8GW0
— Eintracht English (@eintracht_eng) October 28, 2014
1. FC Magdeburg – Bayer 04 Leverkusen (kick-off 18:00 GMT/19:00 CET)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be looking to sustain their three-pronged assault on silverware this season when they head to 1. FC Magdeburg. The Werkself are in promising positions both in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League, and coach Roger Schmidt wants them still to be in the DFB Cup come January. “It’s very attractive to remain in the cup over the winter,” Schmidt said. “We’re desperate to go through.” Tin Jedvaj, suspended for one game in the Bundesliga, is eligible midweek, but Stefan Reinartz is ruled out with a broken eye socket.
TSV 1860 Munich – SC Freiburg (kick-off 18:00 GMT/19:00 CET)
SC Freiburg have tasted victory only once this season – in the DFB Cup. Nine games into the Bundesliga season, that 2-0 win at Eintracht Trier back in August remains their only success story of the current campaign, and they are desperate for a repeat at the Allianz Arena against 1860 Munich on Wednesday. “It’s good that we’re back in action again so soon after our last game,” said Sascha Riether. Freiburg will be without Maximilian Philipp and Pavel Krmas for the clash with the side currently propping up Bundesliga 2.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – FSV Frankfurt (kick-off 19:30 GMT/20:30 CET)
Unbeaten in ten competitive outings this season, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim hope to extend that run to 11 when they host FSV Frankfurt on Wednesday night. Nadiem Amiri could be in line for his first appearance for the club having signed professional terms on Tuesday. “Nadiem’s developed a lot in recent months and he’s a further example for the excellent work of our academy,” said sporting director Alexander Rosen, welcoming the 18-year-old’s signature on a contract until 2018.
VfL Wolfsburg – 1. FC Heidenheim (kick-off 19:30 GMT/20:30 CET)
High-flying Wolfsburg are not going to risk their current rich vein of form when they host 1. FC Heidenheim in the DFB Cup with coach Dieter Hecking promising to send out his strongest side. “We mustn’t give Heidenheim the impression that we’re going to rotate a lot,” he said. “That could easily lead to the conclusion that we’re not taking the game seriously.” The Wolves, who were beaten in the semi-finals by Borussia Dortmund last season, are definitely not taking the Cup lightly. “It’s going to be a very tough challenge,” added Hecking, who will nevertheless make one or two changes.