German sides target UEFA Cup

German strength
German clubs have performed particularly well in the competition this summer, with VfL Wolfsburg and FC Schalke 04 aiming to take two of the three places on offer in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup.

Mpenza missing
Schalke travel to Austria to face SV Pasching in the first leg of their 'final' hot on the heels of a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at TSV 1860 München. Belgian international forward Emile Mpenza is missing through injury, but Germany's Gerald Asamoah, who is currently serving a domestic ban, could start.

Heynckes reluctance
Otherwise, coach Jupp Heynckes is reluctant to make wholesale changes. "If you change a lot and have many players on the pitch who are not experienced, then the team harmony suffers," he said.

Franz set for return
Meanwhile, Wolfsburg visit AC Perugia in Italy with coach Wolfgang Röber expected to alter his usual back four to try and counter the Serie A team's 3-5-2 style. Maik Franz should return to the Wolfsburg lineup after a domestic suspension but striker Martin Petrow is doubtful with a groin problem.

Perugia preparations
Perugia, whose league season has yet to start, have been preparing for Tuesday's game in the mountains of Rocca Porena. The Umbrian side are yet to concede a goal in their Intertoto campaign and coach Serse Cosmi is likely to make few changes.

Di Loreto knock
Defender Marco Di Loreto, who scored the only goal of the tie against FC Nantes Atlantique, has a slight knock but should play while in midfield Fabio Gatti and Nigerian Christian Obodo are in direct competition for one place while two from Sasa Bjelanovic, Zisis Vryzas and Jay Bothroyd will start in attack.

Gaucci confidence
Perugia president Luciano Gaucci said: "I think we have a good chance to win this match. In my opinion we should man-mark their best player [Andrés] D'Alessandro."

Dutch face Spaniards
Dutch side SC Heerenveen take on Spain's Villarreal CF in the evening's other match. Heerenveen coach Foppe de Haan said: "We are glad we made it to the final. The chance to qualify for the UEFA Cup does not put extra pressure on us.

Excellent preparation
"Whatever happens now we have already had an excellent season's preparation with all these Intertoto matches." Heerenveen will be without Richard Knopper, Arek Radomski and Erik Edman, who are all injured.