Quarterfinal under the Christmas tree?

The aim is clear and needn't be discussed; get into the quarterfinals. "Of course we want to reach the next round. Else there's no point in us even turning up," said Matthias Jaissle. Ralf Rangnick was thinking along the same lines: "We want to put in a really good performance on our side and win it over the course of the 90 minutes." Looking at the opponents' recent record the task does not seem a difficult one. With only 10 points Borussia are sitting in last place in the Bundesliga, but despite this a cautious approach is still necessary. "We can't be blinded by their league position," stated Jaissle with Rangnick adding, "Gladbach are a like a wounded animal, but Tuesday isn't about league points, it's about pride. That's why I'm expecting some tough opposition." It's no coincidence that Michael Frontzeck's team have made it through to the Round of 16. In the first round they knocked out Aue who currently occupy 4th in the 2. Bundesliga. They followed that up by overcoming Bayer 04 Leverkusen albeit on penalties.

Despite occupying last place in the league Gladbach have been playing some good football and have often found themselves on the end of unfortunate circumstances. Against Hamburg they were the better team for most of the first half and were unlucky to concede due to two individual errors. That's why Frontzeck is hopeful ahead of Tuesday's encounter: "We're not travelling to Hoffenheim to lose, instead we intend on getting into the next round. Of course it's not going to be easy especially given we've yet to win inside the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. However, we're looking to demonstrate what we're capable of."

Rangnick also knows that the basement team are not to be underestimated. "Gladbach do have a few personnel problems, most importantly in defence. They are well equipped up front to do a lot of damage, but our aim is to overcome their defensive frailties. They're likely to drop a little deeper at first, but they will still be dangerous on the counter", explained the manager. Perhaps the fact that 1899 managed to come out on top in the Bundesliga meeting this season might play its part for Rangnick's team. In that match they came from 0-1 down to flip the game on it's head emerging as 3-2 winners.

There are still question marks regarding certain players for Ralf Rangnick to consider with the inclusion of Luiz Gustavo, Demba Ba and Tobias Weis being the main players affected by niggling injuries. Vedad Ibisevic is suspended following his red card against Ingolstadt in the last round. On the plus side Isaac Vorsah is set to return having served his two match ban following his recent suspension.