round 2 - preview

Magath expects tough test for young guns

No easy task awaits when the Royal Blues travel to VfL Bochum in the second round of the DFB Cup on Tuesday. "The cup is always a bit more nerve-wracking than the Bundesliga, after all", said Felix Magath.

The Schalke boss was keen to emphasise that the game is not just about reaching the next round. "For us the cup is all about getting to the final and then lifting the trophy", he told journalists.

A winning cup campaign would not only bring money into the coffers, but also secure the Royal Blues a place in the Europa League. "People always say the cup is the slightly easier route into Europe, but obviously that depends on the draw", the 56-year-old said. This time the second round draw handed the Royal Blues a trip to local rivals VfL Bochum.

Magath said: "We're playing away so it won't be at all easy." Schalke's Ruhr neighbours also sacked coach Marcel Koller on Sunday. "I can't say whether that will play into our hands", stated Magath. "But one thing is certain. All is not well in the Bochum camp."  His side put in a good performance against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga last time out, but Magath is not reading too much into it. "The only thing we can take from it is that we're capable of beating such teams", he claimed. "But we can forget everything else because this is a different competition.

"In the cup it's more about the atmosphere and will and determination than ability."  The Schalke manager has no doubt his young side can deal with the situation, though. "It's only when the going gets tough that you find out who can cope", he said. "But the atmosphere was good at our away games in Hoffenheim and Cologne, too. So the young lads are prepared for a rough ride."