Having etched their name on the trophy six times in their history, Werder Bremen are DFB-Pokal giants in their own right – only FC Bayern München have lifted the famous gold cup more times. Their last success in the competition came in 2009, however, and standing if their way of a spot in the next round this season are 1899 TSG Hoffenheim. No easy task for Alexander Nouri’s side, who currently sit second bottom in the Bundesliga.
But Bremen might want to take solace from a rather unusual statistic: in the 21st century, Werder have only been eliminated by either lower-league opposition or record champions Bayern München. In their previous meeting earlier this season, however, Hoffenheim had the better of the Bremen side in a 1-0 home victory on matchday one.
Seven quarterfinals for Hoffenheim
On the other hand, Hoffenheim are still writing their DFB-Pokal history. They have reached the quarterfinals seven times, but never progressed further. Incidentally, it was Bremen who eliminated them at this stage in 2009/10 (2-1).
A potential reunion with European Under-21 Champion and Germany international Serge Gnabry is still uncertain. The former Bremen forward, who switched to Bayern in the summer before joining TSG on loan, has been injured recently with a ligament lesion injury in his thigh.
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Having etched their name on the trophy six times in their history, Werder Bremen are DFB-Pokal giants in their own right – only FC Bayern München have lifted the famous gold cup more times. Their last success in the competition came in 2009, however, and standing if their way of a spot in the next round this season are 1899 TSG Hoffenheim. No easy task for Alexander Nouri’s side, who currently sit second bottom in the Bundesliga.
But Bremen might want to take solace from a rather unusual statistic: in the 21st century, Werder have only been eliminated by either lower-league opposition or record champions Bayern München. In their previous meeting earlier this season, however, Hoffenheim had the better of the Bremen side in a 1-0 home victory on matchday one.
Seven quarterfinals for Hoffenheim
On the other hand, Hoffenheim are still writing their DFB-Pokal history. They have reached the quarterfinals seven times, but never progressed further. Incidentally, it was Bremen who eliminated them at this stage in 2009/10 (2-1).
A potential reunion with European Under-21 Champion and Germany international Serge Gnabry is still uncertain. The former Bremen forward, who switched to Bayern in the summer before joining TSG on loan, has been injured recently with a ligament lesion injury in his thigh.