VfB Stuttgart triumphed over 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2-1 in the DFB Cup after a strong second half. Nick Woltemade opened the scoring, but Boris Tomiak equalized for FCK with a penalty just before halftime. Chris Führich secured Stuttgart’s victory with the winning goal in the 75th minute. The match featured significant lineup changes, with Stuttgart fielding nine new players. Despite their efforts, Kaiserslautern was unable to capitalize on late chances and were eliminated from the tournament.
VfB Stuttgart Triumphs Over 1. FC Kaiserslautern in DFB Cup Second Round
VfB Stuttgart secured a 2:1 victory against 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the DFB Cup’s second round, showcasing a remarkable performance in the second half. After an intense match, Stuttgart’s lineup featured nearly an entirely new squad. Nick Woltemade opened the scoring for Stuttgart in the 14th minute, but FCK’s Boris Tomiak equalized just before halftime with a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. Chris Führich ultimately clinched the win for Stuttgart with a goal in the 75th minute.
Stuttgart’s coach, Sebastian Hoeneß, anticipated a challenging encounter. He expressed his thoughts in an interview, stating, “You always hope to settle the match early. The penalty was a significant moment that changed the dynamics; it empowered the opponent and made the game more competitive until the 60th minute.” Ultimately, he believed his team deserved the victory.
Tomiak, the FCK goalscorer, reflected on their mixed feelings following the match. “Of course, it’s disappointing to be eliminated. Considering our performance, we could have done much better,” he noted. Despite Stuttgart’s pressure in the second half, he pointed out that FCK had some excellent chances that could have changed the outcome.
Stuttgart Makes Major Changes to Lineup
Hoeneß opted for significant rotation compared to their last Bundesliga game, with only Anrie Chase and Fabian Rieder retaining their spots from the previous match. In contrast, FCK coach Markus Anfang introduced three new starters following their recent victory against Fortuna Düsseldorf: Erik Wekesser, Kenny Redondo, and captain Marlon Ritter.
Stuttgart quickly established their dominance, creating an early chance when Pascal Stenzel’s powerful shot from the edge of the box sailed just over the goal in the 9th minute. They continued to apply pressure, and after Ermedin Demirovic’s effort was saved by FCK keeper Julian Krahl, Woltemade capitalized on the rebound, scoring the first goal for Stuttgart.
FCK Finds Unexpected Equalizer
FCK struggled to make an impact in the attacking phase initially. Stuttgart maintained control, with Demirovic nearly doubling the lead, but once again Krahl made a crucial save in the 25th minute. FCK finally initiated a serious attack, with Daisuke Yokota’s cross narrowly cleared by Chase. A corner soon followed, with Yokota hitting the post, shaking things up for Stuttgart.
The match became more balanced as FCK began to display aggression. Their sudden equalizer came shortly before halftime due to a controversial penalty decision. After a corner kick, Ritter was fouled, leading to a penalty awarded by referee Daniel Schlager. Tomiak converted the opportunity, leveling the scores just before the break without the benefit of the VAR review, which wasn’t in play for this stage of the cup.
Stuttgart Seizes Control in the Second Half
Both teams began the second half unchanged, and Stuttgart quickly created a chance with Rieder’s shot saved by Krahl in the 48th minute. FCK attempted a counter-attack, but an imprecise pass prevented a solid scoring opportunity. Stuttgart’s Woltemade missed a close-range chance following Rieder’s assist, allowing FCK to capitalize but missing their own attempts as well.
Hoeneß responded by introducing internationals Deniz Undav and Angelo Stiller. Stiller notably had a fantastic opportunity but saw his shot expertly saved by Krahl in the 64th minute. Just moments later, he fired another shot over the goal after a setup from Undav.
Krahl Keeps FCK Afloat but Führich Breaks Through
With Stuttgart asserting their dominance, Krahl stepped up to deny multiple attempts, including a powerful free kick by Rieder that struck the crossbar. However, the FCK keeper couldn’t stop Führich’s strike, which found the bottom right corner in the 75th minute. Shortly after, they made a substitution to maintain freshness in their attack.
While FCK tried to regain their footing, they struggled to equalize again as Tomiak’s late attempt wasn’t enough to force extra time, falling short after a final corner.
Upcoming Matches
With this victory, VfB Stuttgart advances to the last 16, with the draw scheduled for December 3 and 4, 2024. Stuttgart’s next challenge will be