14.12.2015 14:12 h

Darmstadt coach hopes for cup miracle in Munich

Bayern Munich host Darmstadt in 'more than a David verses Goliath' clash on Tuesday for a place in the German Cup's quarter-finals with the visitors' coach hoping for a miracle.

"They're the best team in Europe. It's more than David verses Goliath. I can't really think of a comparison of how big the miracle will need to be if we are to progress," said Darmstadt coach Dirk Schuster ahead.

"Our chances, in terms of percentages, are in the single digits, but we travel to Munich with hope and without fear."

The omens are not good for Darmstadt ahead of their third-round clash at Munich's Allianz Arena.

They were hammered 4-0 at home by Hertha Berlin last Saturday in the Bundesliga, while Bayern are unbeaten at home this season and beat Darmstadt 3-0 away in September in the Bundesliga.

Having knocked holders Wolfsburg out in the second round, German league leaders Bayern are eager to book their place in the last eight as they look to repeat their 2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

But Schuster would love to see his side ruin the Bavarian giants' plans to go into the winter break, which starts Sunday, with a presence in all three competitions.

"Being knocked out by Darmstadt wouldn't be such a nice thing to have under the Christmas tree," added Schuster.

Bayern have a few injuries to contend with and will be without Arjen Robben and David Alaba, while Franck Ribery is sidelined again after just 15 minutes of his comeback from nearly nine months out with an ankle knock.

In other key third-round matches, Borussia Moenchengladbach are at home to Bremen on Tuesday while on Wednesday, 2012 cup winners Borussia Dortmund are at Augsburg, with both teams also in the Europa League's knock-out stages.

Dortmund are second only to Bayern in Germany's top flight, but their captain Mats Hummels said they can take nothing for granted against Bavaria's Augsburg, who are unbeaten in their last four matches, but were thrashed 5-1 by Dortmund in the Bundesliga last October.

"Augsburg are in very good condition now having had big problems at the start of the season," said Hummels.

"They are always a hard team to beat, we have had good results there in the previous years, which we always had to work hard for.

"I assume we'll have to do the same again."