VfB Stuttgart is in the semi-finals of the DFB Cup after a hard-won victory against Augsburg. The relief was huge. However, there is worries about Enzo Millot, who was fouled hard.
Sebastian Hoeneß has a fine sense of when he goes in front of the fan curve. The trainer of VfB Stuttgart does not make this inflationary, but only on selected occasions. Last season he did this after the last game before Christmas against Augsburg (3-0), after the 3-1 against FC Bayern and the associated Champions League qualification as well as, of course, after the sensational runner-up on matchday 34 (4-0 against Gladbach). Now, after the 1-0 in the DFB Cup quarter-finals against Augsburg, the 42-year-old showed again in front of the Cannstatt curve-completely detached. Hoeneß nodded with his head, clenched both fists, cheered the short success of his team and encouraged the trailers to participate in the stands.
The trainer’s reaction demonstrated how much pressure has fallen off himself – and symbolically stood for the great relief at VfB Stuttgart. Actually, the Swabians had started the new year with four competitive victories in a row, but after three bankruptcies, the mood threatened to tip over. In the run-up to the game, it was partly talking about a mini crisis. There was the scarce success against Augsburg through the golden goal from Deniz Undav (30th minute) balm for the soul.
Sebastian Hoeneß: “A dream”
“Now we are in the semi -finals of the trophy, that is a huge success for the club,” said Hoeneß after the game in the ARD: “It was certainly not a delicacy. But we won 1-0 – and I think that was deserved. That was ripe, that was clear. The final there will take place on May 24th.
In the footsteps of Joachim Löw
But before that, the round of the last four is due, into which VfB has now been the first team of this year’s DFB Cup round. Hoeneß (2022/23 and 2024/25) is therefore after Joachim Löw (1996/97 and 1997/98) Only the second coach, who has reached the DFB Cup semi-final twice since the Bundesliga was founded with VfB Stuttgart.
Category Working victory
The victory against Augsburg was ultimately deserved, the VfB was better in terms of play and also had the better chances. But he was also hard fought for – category work victory. In the first 25 minutes, Stuttgart did not achieve much, the uncertainty was literally tangible. After the goal by Undav, the chest became a little wider, VfB let the ball run more pleasant from this point on and your own game also became more dynamic. However, there were still deficits in decision -making in the last third of the game and the counter protection, for example according to your own corners.
Deniz Undav: “The progress counts”
Be it, it is important to pull self-confidence from the Augsburg game. “In the end, the progress counts. And we achieved that today,” said Deniz Undav. “It is good to be back on track after three defeats. It was a strong performance from each individual at the combative level. It was precisely this attitude and this willingness we needed.”
Defender Jeff Chabot was: “It was not an easy game, we were very passionate about the duel duelle. That was the basis for today’s success. Sieg is good and helps us to get back more and more. “
Watch about Enzo Millot
However, the progress was overshadowed by a worse injury to Enzo Millot. The Frenchman was fouled from behind immediately before the final whistle by Dimitrios Giannouli’s male. “It didn’t look so good at first. He was definitely in pain, but I hope that it goes out lightly,” said Hoeneß. Millot stayed for a long time after the end of the game and was later led off the pitch, supported by two people.
A failure of the French would be a bitter loss for VfB – because the next task has it all again. At the weekend (February 8th, 3:30 p.m., live in SWR1 stadium), the next key game is waiting in the fight for international business with the away game in Dortmund.
“We have to throw everything in in Dortmund”
A match in which Stuttgart can now go with a somewhat wider breast than last – and also, according to Deniz Undav: “It goes on directly. We also have to throw everything in and continue in the Bundesliga, where we stopped against Augsburg . “
Broadcast on Wed., 5.2.2025 6:00 a.m., SWR Current in the morning, SWR Current
