Dzenan Pejcinovic Hat-Trick Secures VfB Stuttgart DFB-Pokal Win Against Hansa Rostock

Dzenan Pejcinovic Shines in VfB Stuttgart Debut with Three Goals Against Hansa Rostock

Liga club FC Hansa Rostock in the DFB-Pokal first round at the Ostseestadion. The 21-year-old forward, who arrived in a reported 25-million-euro transfer from VfL Wolfsburg, found the net in the 18th, 37th, and 82nd minutes to secure the visitors’ progression.

Early Setback Overcome as Stuttgart Dominates Possession

The match began with a blow for the visitors when midfielder Nikolas Nartey sustained an injury and required a substitution in the ninth minute. Despite the early disruption, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side seized firm control of the pitch. According to match statistics, Stuttgart commanded 71 percent of possession in the opening half alone, completing 362 passes compared to Rostock’s 144. That sustained pressure forced defensive errors during Rostock’s build-up play, directly setting up Pejcinovic’s first two goals.

Hansa Rostock Resilience and Key Defensive Stops

Despite Stuttgart’s territorial dominance, Rostock created notable scoring opportunities in the first half. Forward Leon Dajaku squandered a chance to equalize in the 22nd minute after being sent through on goal by Andreas Voglsammer, failing to connect cleanly on a pass across the box. Shortly after, Stuttgart defender Jeff Chabot forced Rostock goalkeeper Luca Unbehaun into a fingertip save that turned a long-range shot onto the post. At the opposite end, Stuttgart stand-in goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow denied Yannick Michaelis with a sharp reflex save just before halftime.

Pyrotechnic Delay and Second-Half Conclusion

Play was halted for eight minutes at the start of the second half after fans in the home section ignited a heavy amount of pyrotechnics, leaving the pitch shrouded in smoke. Once action resumed, Stuttgart managed the tempo efficiently. Tiago Tomas extended the lead to 3-0 in the 74th minute before Pejcinovic completed his hat-trick late in the match to seal the 4-0 final scoreline.

Match Statistics and Tournament Pedigree

The result continues a strong modern DFB-Pokal tradition for Stuttgart, who won the competition in 2025 and reached the final in 2026, losing only three of their past 22 fixtures in the tournament. Pejcinovic expressed satisfaction with his performance in a post-match interview with ZDF, emphasizing his commitment to the team’s collective goals.