VfB Stuttgart didn’t allow themselves to be duped in the ice-cold north and managed their next task in the DFB Cup. The defending champions ultimately won 3-0 (0-0) at second division club Holstein Kiel and moved into the semi-finals for the third time in four seasons under the direction of coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
Thanks to goals from Deniz Undav (56th minute), Chris Führich (89th) and the former Kiel player Atakan Karazor (90th + 2), the Swabian Champions League candidate also defied the adverse sub-zero temperatures in front of 15,034 spectators in the sold-out Holstein Stadium and did not allow Kiel to have another cup sensation. The Bundesliga relegated team knocked the record winners from Munich out of the competition almost five years ago.
“The conditions were very, very difficult,” goalscorer Führich told ZDF. “The only thing that counts is getting ahead one round.” Teammate Undav agreed: “It was a tough game, we knew what to expect in the cold.” The center forward summed up that it was important to progress in the cup.
While Hoeneß did not have to record any short-term absences, the hosts were surprisingly missing Steven Skrzybski. The day before, as a guest at the press conference, the Kiel captain confirmed how much anticipation there was for the game. “That’s what every footballer is passionate about. A game like that. Floodlights. Cup. That’s why you became a footballer as a child and were excited about it,” the attacker said. However, he had to miss the game due to a muscular injury in the final training session.
Kielers start confidently
The Kiel team got into the game well even without their captain and used some switching actions for promising shots on goal by Adrian Kapralik (8th) and Andu Kelati (11th).
The Stuttgart team had a bit of a hard time at first, but they perked up a bit despite the icy conditions. Chris Führich and Deniz Undav (25th) tried in vain to make it 1-0 with a header before VfB’s lead almost came about due to cup goalkeeper Timon Weiner’s carelessness, as a cross slipped through his fingers. But Bilal El Khannous’ shot was blocked.
Animal speedster provides entertainment
An animal speedster provided variety at halftime. A few minutes after the half-time whistle, a rabbit ran across the lawn and then disappeared again. The spectators in the sold-out Holstein Stadium cheered the animal after both teams went into the break goalless.
In this cup season, the Kiel team, who had a mixed performance in the league, prevailed on penalties away against Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg (1-0) and then Hamburger SV. The defending champion Stuttgart, who is in a good mood and has only lost one of seven competitive games since the turn of the year, has so far defeated the second division clubs Braunschweig and Bochum in the cup, as well as their first division rival Mainz.
The guests started the second half much more actively. Führich was awarded a free kick after a duel with Kiel’s Kasper Davidsen. From the resulting cross, VfB captain and former Kiel player Atakan Karazor headed the ball to Undav in the penalty area. The national player persevered and poked the ball into the goal. In the final phase, the Kiel team became dangerous again, and the defending champions made it through to the semi-finals with their two late goals.
