Bittersweet win for Bayern

It seemed initially that Bayern might demolish Augsburg on Wednesday evening, with the visitors opening their account in the fourth minute thanks to a defensive and goalkeeping breakdown.

Mario Mandzukic set up Arjen Robben for the opener, the Dutchman dancing around Augsburg defender Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, before coming up against keeper Marwin Hitz. While Hitz looked sure to save the day, inexplicably he didn't, and Robben somehow spilled the ball over and into goal.

It wasn't to be such a great night for the Dutchman, though. Robben had to be stretchered off just 12 minutes later having suffered a "deep cut" on his right knee after colliding with Hitz.

Despite an apparent chasm in quality, Bayern's usual merciless streak was lacking - the cup holders apparently taking their foot off the gas. It wasn't until the 78th minute that Thomas Müller scored the crucial cushioning goal, heading home from a Jerome Boateng cross to make it 2-0.

"We all knew before the game that it would be difficult in Augsburg, especially in the cup. So we are happy to get the victory," said Müller.

Nervous moments for Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt overcame second division side Sandhausen 4-2, although there were some jittery moments.

Franfkfurt went ahead on 19 minutes thanks to a cross from Vaclav Kladec, met by a sliding Joselu, who opened the scoring. While Sandhausen almost netted through Marco Thiede soon afterwards, the next goal came just after the break, when Frankfurt doubled their tally with a Joselu penalty.

Sandhausen though, weren't to be written off, getting one back in the form of an own goal by Sebastian Rode just after the hour mark. Two minutes later, the lower league side were level after a stunning volley from Simon Tüting.

The revival was short-lived though as Kadlec netted from 20 yards in the 72nd minute, teed up by a partially-redeemed Rode. Joselu ensured victory, completing a hat trick in extra time make it 4-2.

Dream start turns tough

Earlier in the evening, Bayer Leverkusen had the best of starts, with Australian Robbie Kruse scoring after just 28 seconds, latching onto a backpass from Freiburg's Nicolas Höfler.

Unbowed, Freiburg surged forward for an equalizer which they got thanks to Matthias Ginter, heading in a cross from Vladimir Darida on 19 minutes. Ginter came close on at least two other occasions in the first half.

The second half saw Freiburg grow stronger, without capitalizing. Rolfes sent the ball wide for Emre Can, who tricked opponent Oliver Sorg to finish coolly in the right corner for the decider, 2-1 the final score.

“In the end it was a hard match,” said Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes. “We wouldn't have thought that after the first few minutes.”

Wolves struggle to respond

Wolfsburg were stunned when hosts, second-tier Ingolstadt, took the lead in the 19th minute through Brazilian striker Caiuby.

The Wolves left it late to hit back, only managing to do so in the 66th minute through their own Brazilian, Naldo. It took a late winner from Ivica Olic to seal the game at 2-1 on 88 minutes.

As well as riding their luck in general, the top-tier visitors were also fortunate in that keeper Ramazan Özcan was found badly wanting both times that Ingolstadt conceded.

The quarterfinals will be played on February 11 and 12, with the final to be played at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on May 17.