German Cup preview

Bayern were Cup holders when they were shocked by Aachen, who won 2-1 in the quarter-final. Aachen were then in the second division but are now in the top flight.

It was Bayern's last German Cup defeat -- the Bavarians won the Bundesliga and German Cup double in the last two campaigns.

"We're still dancing in all three weddings and we want to keep all three title chances going with a win at Aachen," said Bayern coach Felix Magath, referring to the German Cup, Champions League and Bundesliga.

Magath was in an unusually cheerful mood on Saturday after his team's best Bundesliga performance of the season, a 4-0 win at Mainz, lifted them into third place on 33 points, just three points behind leaders Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.

Bayern had got off to a dismal start this season, losing to three teams in the relegation zone, before finishing strongly with five wins and a draw in their last six Bundesliga matches.

They also finished first in their Champions League group to qualify for the knockout stage.

"That was a classy performance, the kind of match you'd expect from a top team," Magath said after the Mainz victory.

Magath sent goalkeeper Oliver Kahn off on a early winter holiday break and will give his reserve and designated successor Michael Rensing a chance in the goal.

"He needs the practice in a match that matters," said Magath.

Bayern have won the Cup 13 times.

Promoted Aachen, who have fought their way away from the relegation zone up to 13th after 17 matches, have the home advantage again like last time.

They were only narrowly beaten by Bayern 2-1 in a Bundesliga match in Munich earlier this season.

"We're going to fight like mad and throw everything we have into it," said Aachen striker Jan Schlaudraff, who has made it into Germany's national team and caught the eye of many Bundesliga clubs this season.

Elsewhere, first division side VfL Wolfsburg play at Gruether Fuerth while Hannover 96, also in the top flight, host MSV Duisburg, and Kickers Offenbach face Wacker Burghausen.

The quarter-finals will be played in the final week of February, the semi-finals in mid-April and the final in Berlin on May 26.