Karel Geraerts: I enjoy knockout competitions

Despite the added workload of playing a mid-week game, the team will not be sacrificing any intensity with an eye on their upcoming league game away in Nuremberg just four days later. “We want to give it 100% in every single game. This is an extremely important game for us. I enjoy knockout competitions and am looking forward to the game. We’re ready for the cup game and will also be prepared for the weekend,” he said.

St. Pauli still unbeaten this season

The coach is well aware that his side face a tough challenge tomorrow. “FC St. Pauli are in great form at the minute, and have been for several weeks now. Our opponents have a solid game plan and are strong when they are on the ball,” Geraerts said about the Hamburg-based side, who are still unbeaten across all competitions this season.

“There will almost certainly be phases during the game in which we will struggle,” said the Belgian. “During our analysis, we also identified several things that we could use to our advantage. If we invest everything that we have, then we have a chance. I believe in the team.”

Geraerts doesn’t rule out penalties as a possibility in deciding tomorrow’s clash. “We have prepared for this possibility in training,” he revealed, although it is obviously not possible to replicate the atmosphere of a penalty shootout in a sold out stadium in training.

Tempelmann set to miss out due to suspension

Lino Tempelmann, who was on the scoresheet against Hannover at the weekend, will not be able to feature tomorrow. The midfielder is serving a suspension after being sent off for a second bookable offence in injury time of the Royal Blues’ first-round clash with Braunschweig (3-1 win). “It’s unfortunate for us, because Lino has been in good form recently. But I have several ideas already about how we can compensate for his absence,” Geraerts said.

Cedric Brunner (groin), Leo Greiml (ACL tear) and Marius Müller (ruptured adductor tendon) are all still unavailable.