'All-or-nothing match': DFB Pokal quarter-final place at stake for Women in Hamburg

The 2-1 defeat at SC Freiburg on Monday has left its mark, and not just because of the dropped points after a good performance. Even worse is the injury to goalkeeper Charlotte Voll, who collided with Lilla Turanyi in the midst of the late winner and sustained a shoulder separation. The 26-year-old will be sidelined for a number of months. "She was playing well up until the injury. Such a severe diagnosis has an effect on the whole team, especially as she's had a few serious injuries already," said Pätzold. "At the same time, that also proves she can keep fighting back. We wish that for her this time too."

faith in Moll: 'she'll do her job again'

In the absence of captain Friederike Repohl, who is recovering from a muscle injury, Anne Moll will again start between the posts. She previously stood in for three games after Voll's red card in the 5-1 defeat at home to VfL Wolfsburg. "Anne has proven that she can handle the pressure and she's performed very confidently, particularly with the ball at her feet," described the coach. "She played recently against HSV and will do her job again this time."

Even aside from Voll's injury, the defeat in Breisgau was painful. "We're annoyed about the lost points because it was one of our best performances of the season," said Pätzold."We were superior in almost all statistics and had more dangerous chances, but we weren't as effective as Freiburg." However, the overall impression is encouraging ahead of Sunday's DFB Cup round of 16 match. "The cup is the shortest route for us to reach a final and maybe even win a title," added the coach. "Our results in the Bundesliga so far and our performances in games against the top teams give us extra motivation. We know that we can beat any team in this competition and have the ability to go a long way."

In the last meeting with the promoted Bundesliga side, a last-minute goal from Caroline Kehrer provided a much-celebrated 2-1 home win at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. "Unlike last time, we're not had a match in midweek, so both teams should be fresher and able to bring more energy onto the pitch," thinks Pätzold. "We'll need patience again this time. Hamburg are a threat with some good players who can produce surprises. We'll have to cover well and pay attention to good positioning and ball circulation in order to dominate the opponents, create plenty of opportunities and attack the penalty area at high frequency."

The fact that coach Liese Brancao's side have lost five and drawn one of their last five games doesn't matter to Pätzold. "They're above the drop zone as a promoted team in the Bundesliga and will be aware of their situation. Their approach has been more defensive recently, which has caused problems for some teams. Despite the defeats they weren't without a chance," analysed the 46-year-old. "What's more, it's an all-or-nothing match, where a look at the table increases the pressure on us. Hamburg are the clear underdogs and have their fans behind them."

Wamser ruled out again

Along with the two goalkeepers and Cornelia Kramer (muscular) and Shen Menglu (cruciate ligament), Carlotta Wamser remains absent with a knock.