1.Bundesliga (Match update)

Werder Bremen - FC Schalke 04

It is almost the same, both clubs want to aim for more this Season above all Schalke has high ambition. Bremen's biggest problem is the attack, they lost both of their excellent Striker with Selke (to RB Leipzig) and Di Santo (to Schalke). All the other positions are well balanced, the only problem is the attack. They have signed some new strikers like Ujah and Johannsson but they are they ready to replace them even or maybe better right now. This is one of the biggest question in Bremen, the other is solved with keeper Wiedwald should be more stability in goal as under Wolf.

After big trouble last Season Schalke started well with 5-0 against MSV in Cup the self confidence is high but also the expectations. Additional they are aiming for more this Season under new coach Breitenreiter who want to play much more offensive minded as former Coach Di Matteo did. He has a lot of good and excellent players in his squad and can field a good lineup. But this make the pressure high from beginning on, if they start with 1-2 defeats the rumors around the club are there for sure immediately.

Both sides are facing their first big test with this game because both Cup opponents has not the class to give a real statement about the strength of both teams. So this is an important one for both.
Some stats in the end: Bremen could not take a win in the last 10 games against Schalke, only against Bayern Munich they still waiting longer (13).


Bayer Leverkusen - 1899 Hoffenheim

An easy start for Leverkusen in Cup, never in danger. They should be much more prepared as to other Seasons because they lost not to much players above all from starting lineup. This is maybe an advantage to begin of the Season for them. With Drmic they lost a striker to Gladbach but he was only behind Kießling last Season and therefore not a big miss. The next one was Castro to Dortmund but he had also not the best Season anyway. With Mehmedi, Kramer and Aranguiz they got a lot of quality to their squad. It looks like that Schmidt field maybe almost the same lineup compared to last Season. The only problem has Schmidt in central back because with the injury from Toprak he has to replace an important player there. With Tah they have some in back but he is young and not solid enough right now. In midfield Kramer plays after returning from Gladbach, maybe alone in central midfield or beside Bender. It is up to Coach Schmidt if he fields an offensive minded lineup he counts on Calhanoglu and Mehmedi, if not, one of them must on bench.

Wow 1899 Hoffenheim got a lot of Mios on their side after selling Firmino to Liverpool for 41. They plan to have a very talented but young team and this is the problem right now. They have not the experience in their rows what brings some average performances. They lost in Cup against average team from 1860 who was nothing special in the first two league rounds what makes Hoffenheim's problems clear. Coach Gisdol has a lot of work to do with his team and he has to work on the style of play. The team do not know what the Coach want so far. The new offensive miss some power and they are still searching for alternatives on the market after losing Firmino, Modeste, Schipplock there. Of course they signed some new with Schmid, Uth and Kuranyi but they need still some time.

This encounter was almost always a clear thing for Leverkusen, from 14 games they won 12. If Hoffenheim have to play against Leverkusen they arrive always with some fear and this is the problem too today.