Champions League contenders collide

The resumption of the German Cup this week will see the elimination of either Werder Bremen or Bayer 04 Leverkusen who meet in the biggest match of the second round on Wednesday.

Schaaf hopeful
The two sides, who along with FC Bayern München are the Bundesliga's representatives in the UEFA Champions League, are both desperate to make progress in the competition with Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf hopeful that the reigning cup holders can make home advantage count.

Augenthaler confident
"I prefer a tough match at home than an easier draw away," Schaaf said. "I'm looking forward to the match." Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler said: "We impressed against Bayern and Real Madrid [CF] and proved we can beat big teams."

Big game
Another Bundesliga side is sure to be knocked out with 1. FC Kaiserslautern at home to FC Schalke 04 on the same day. Schalke have lifted their game since Jupp Heynckes was relieved of his coaching duties and Ebbe Sand has led the way with four goals from the matches against FHK Liepajas Metalurgs and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. But Kaiserslautern have also bounced back after their three defeats in the opening matches of the season and have won their past two games.

Staying put
On Sunday VfL Bochum 1848 travelled to SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga and secured a 1-1 draw. Bochum stayed in Freiburg after the game because the fixture will be repeated tonight. "It's great, it saves us from travelling somewhere else," said Bochum coach Peter Neururer.

Sell-out crowd
Among the other 13 ties, VfL Osnabrück can look forward to a sell-out crowd in their match against Bayern while BV Borussia Dortmund are at home to SpVgg Unterhaching.