Schalke vs Hoffenheim preview - Magath dreams of Europe

Schalke manager Felix Magath still has his sights set on playing in Europe next season, and success in the DFB-Pokal is not the only way he would like to achieve it.

The Royal Blues reached the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal this week by beating Nurnberg and one more win may well be good enough to see them secure a place in the Europa League, depending on the draw.

However, Magath has not given up on his side finishing inside the top five of the Bundesliga, despite his side currently being eight points short, and wants three points against Hoffenheim on Saturday to make that a more realistic aim.

"We desperately need a win," he said. "Especially since we have just lost at home to Hamburg.

"We are looking at the league table and are aiming for a place in Europe.

"We have a home game with our fantastic fans behind us and that will intimidate our opponents."

Hoffenheim were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal this week by second-tier opponents Energie Cottbus while they have lost one and drawn the other of their first two Bundesliga fixtures of 2011.

"Of course things are not going so well in Hoffenheim at present," said Magath.

"They have had a lot of disturbances in the club of late, but the team showed in the first half of the season what quality they have.

"In 2011, they have not yet shown what they are capable of."

Hoffenheim's new signing Ryan Babel should make his Bundesliga debut at the Arena AufSchalke having appeared in the DFB-Pokal in midweek.

And Magath has warned the Dutch striker that he faces a baptism of fire this weekend.

"Benedikt Howedes will show Babel in his first Bundesliga game that his best games will come elsewhere," added the Schalke manager.

17-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler is on the verge of making his first start for Schalke after his heroics in midweek against Nurnberg.

Meanwhile, Ivan Rakitic is preparing for a move to Sevilla and Christoph Moritz is likely to take his place.

Vedad Ibisevic should be Babel's partner in the Hoffenheim attack.