In the DFB Cup, VfB Stuttgart narrowly defeated 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2:1, with Chris Führich scoring the decisive goal. Meanwhile, 1. FC Köln achieved a 3:0 victory over Holstein Kiel, marking their first round of 16 appearance in three years. Jahn Regensburg also advanced, winning 1:0 against Greuther Fürth, despite Rasim Bulic being sent off shortly after scoring. The latest matches showcased fierce competition and significant upsets in the tournament.
Excitement returns with the DFB Cup matches. VfB Stuttgart faced off against Kaiserslautern, where referee Schlager allowed Stuttgart to showcase their skills, ultimately led by standout Chris Führich. Meanwhile, 1. FC Köln staged a remarkable comeback against Holstein Kiel, who continue to struggle. Jahn Regensburg secured a significant win despite being one man down.
Match Report: VfB Stuttgart – 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2:1 (1:1)
VfB Stuttgart advanced to the DFB Cup round of 16 for the third time in succession, claiming a 2:1 victory over second-tier competitors 1. FC Kaiserslautern in a thrilling cup confrontation. Stuttgart’s Chris Führich emerged as the hero, netting the decisive goal in the 75th minute.
Stuttgart opened the scoring with Nick Woltemade’s goal in the 14th minute, showcasing their early dominance. Yet, a controversial penalty awarded to Kaiserslautern shifted the momentum just before halftime, with Boris Tomiak converting it to level the scores (43′). Despite this setback, Führich ultimately outsmarted the impressive goalkeeper Julian Krahl for the winner.
Reflecting on the match, Führich noted, “Cups are always challenging. They played aggressively, and while we lacked some patience, the key takeaway is that we’ve progressed.”
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß made significant changes to the lineup, replacing nine players after the weekend’s victory against Holstein Kiel. His squad initially surged forward, ignited by Führich’s efforts on the left. However, after taking the lead, they faced renewed pressure from a resurgent Kaiserslautern, which nearly saw them score through Daisuke Yokota’s attempt that hit the post (29′).
The penalty decision, highly contentious, came when Fabian Rieder fouled Marlon Ritter outside the box, leading to Kaiserslautern’s equalizer. Stuttgart fans were understandably distressed by the referee’s choice.
The second half unfolded as an exhilarating cup clash, with chances for both teams. Hoeneß made tactical adjustments, introducing Deniz Undav and Angelo Stiller as Stuttgart ramped up pressure. Rieder struck the crossbar with a free-kick (72′), paving the way for Führich’s eventual clincher.
Match Summary: 1. FC Köln – Holstein Kiel 3:0 (1:0)
1. FC Köln pulled off a surprising victory against Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel, eliminating them from the cup and moving forward with a 3:0 win. The victory marked Köln’s first advancement to the round of 16 in three years, relieving pressure on head coach Gerhard Struber.
Cologne asserted control early, with Tim Lemperle scoring in the 8th minute. The team’s first foray into the cup after two successive league losses seemed to revive hopes for a more favorable season, while Kiel continued to linger at the bottom, aiming for survival in their league.
Kiel, who struggled to find their footing, faltered again when Shuto Machino’s close effort hit the crossbar late in the game (82′). Köln capitalized, with Luca Waldschmidt adding two goals to secure the emphatic win (87′, 90’+7). The match saw Köln play defensively and effectively manage their lead as the game progressed, much to Kiel’s frustration.
Match Highlights: Jahn Regensburg – SpVgg Greuther Fürth 1:0 (0:0)
In a surprising upset, Jahn Regensburg triumphed over SpVgg Greuther Fürth, earning a spot in the DFB Cup round of 16. Under interim coach Andreas Patz, Regensburg secured victory thanks to Rasim Bulic’s lone goal (59′), though it came at a cost as he received a red card shortly after (63′).
In front of 11,627 spectators, Regensburg celebrated this significant win, the first against Fürth since 2018. The match featured minimal opportunities from both sides, but Bulic seized his chance to strike, sending the team through to the next round.
Despite Fürth’s attempts to dominate the match, they struggled to create meaningful chances, ultimately resulting in Regensburg’s moment of glory.