Aachen boss excited by Foals match
For coach Jorg Berger, it is the chance to get Aachen through to their first final in nearly 40 years and an added bonus of putting one over on neighbours Monchengladbach of Germany's top-flight.
"It's THE highlight in my career and a superb chance for the whole club and their fans. The last time Alemannia played in a Cup final [1965] most of my players weren't even born," claimed coach Berger.
Berger confirmed that over 100,000 fans had requested tickets for the derby and turned down the chance to play the game in Cologne's nearby RheinEnergie Stadion that has a capacity of just under 51,000, and will instead bring The Foals to their 20,400 capacity Tivoli Stadion, renowned as one of the most intimidating venues in Germany.
Berger, who is still hopeful of winning promotion to the Bundesliga this summer, is sure his side stand a fair chance to book their place in Berlin if they continue their fine Cup form.
"If we are able to repeat the performance we delivered against 1860 and Bayern Munich, we should stand a good chance against Gladbach," said the former Frankfurt and Schalke boss, who is forced to replace two of his key players as Quido Lanzaat and Dennis Brinkmann are still injured.
Gladbach coach Holger Fach has injury worries of his own and will have to start without influential midfielder Igor Demo.
German Under-21 international Thomas Broich is set to replace the Slovakian ace in the engine room, while Fach is still unsure if Vaclav Sverkos or Tomislav Maric will partner Arie Van Lent up front.
