Hoffenheim drawn away to Rostock in DFB-Pokal

Fully charged, boisterous and loud - the atmosphere inside the DKB Arena in Rostock will certainly not be friendly on Saturday. A lot is at stake on this game for two clubs whose development over the past seasons couldn't be more different. "Four years ago Hansa were two leagues above us, but now the it is completely the opposite", explained head coach Ralf Rangnick. It is the last test of Rangnick's players before the Bundesliga gets underway next weekend, and the boss knows it won't be easy: "It is a game we have to take very seriously. We have to perform well to get to the next round. It's our last test before the Bremen game."

Following their relegation, Hansa Rostock's team has have a complete renovation. Manager Stefan Beinlich and coach Peter Vollmann have put together a tough team. Their first four games in the 3. Bundesliga has yielded three wins. "We shouldn't be taking too much about Rostock, rather concentrating on our own strengths", said Starke. It is important for the team to not only concentrate on the game itself, but to bear in mind the encounter with Bremen in a week's time. "It's an enormously important game - for our self confidents and for the Bundesliga kick off against Bremen."

Head coach Rangnick has a virtually full-strength squad to choose from on Saturday. Missing, however, are striker Chinedu Obasi (rehab following stress fracture of shin) and central defender Matthias Jaissle (rehab following operation).