Magath's Wolves a cup threat to Bayern

VfL Wolfsburg go into their German Cup semi-final at FC Bayern München as the Bundesliga's form team of 2008 – and coach Felix Magath has particular reason to want to carry on that run.

Bayern return
Five wins from seven league games and only one defeat this year, have taken Magath's men into seventh place in the standings, while the quarter-final scalp of Hamburger SV set up tonight's trip to the Fußball Arena München. It is a match with special meaning for Magath, who coached Bayern between 2004 and 2007, winning the cup twice. He may have been sacked by the Bavarians but his former charges retain plenty of respect for his managerial talents. Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said: "Wolfsburg are a very good side who are beginning to bear the signature of Felix Magath."

Gradual improvement
Magath, appointed last May, has inspired a turnaround after a slow start to the campaign – Wolfsburg won just two of their first eight league fixtures, taking nine points. However, as the club's summer signings settled so Wolfsburg's fortunes have steadily improved. Ricardo Costa and Jan Simunek have bolstered the defence; Christian Gentner and Josué have taken the pressure off Marcelinho in midfield; and Brazilian striker Grafite has struck nine goals in 17 Bundesliga starts. Nonetheless, Magath remains realistic about their chances. "It would be a disgrace for Bayern not to reach the final," he said. "We can forget about them underestimating us."