The first broadcasts the second semi-final in the DFB Cup between VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. Here is everything you need to know about the game.
Wednesday from 8.15 p.m. live on the first
The first broadcasts the duel between the two Bundesliga clubs live on Wednesday, the broadcast of the sports show starts at 8:15 p.m. The moderator is Esther Sedlaczek, Bastian Schweinsteiger is there as an expert, and Tom Bartels is commenting on the game. There will also be a live stream and an audio stream on sportschau.de.
Current form: Frankfurt in crisis, Stuttgart on the upswing
Eintracht have slipped to ninth place in the table and have been without a win in the Bundesliga for nine games. Only recently was there a meager 1-1 draw against FC Augsburg at home. Stuttgart, on the other hand, are going into the game with a tailwind from the league. After beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1, the Swabians climbed up to 15th place and are unbeaten in the league for four games (two wins, two draws).
Matches in the Bundesliga: Frankfurt is ahead
In the two direct duels in the current Bundesliga season, Frankfurt was slightly ahead. In the first leg in Stuttgart, the team won 3-1. Sebastian Rode, Daichi Kamada and Kristjan Jakic scored for the guests, Tiago Tomas for VfB. In the second leg in Frankfurt it was 1-1. Stuttgart’s Silas Katompa Mvumpa equalized Rode’s lead.
The way to the semifinals: Frankfurt for the second time after Stuttgart
Frankfurt are traveling to Stuttgart for the second time in the current cup season. In the second round, Eintracht won 2-0 at Kickers. Previously there had been a 4-0 win at 1. FC Magdeburg. In the round of 16, the team then celebrated a 4-2 win against Darmstadt 98 in the Hessen duel, and in the quarter-finals there was a 2-0 win over Union Berlin.
The Stuttgarters had the luck of the draw on their side and have only played against lower-class clubs so far. After the 1-0 win at Dynamo Dresden, there was an easy 6-0 win against Arminia Bielefeld, a narrow 2-1 win at SC Paderborn and a 1-0 win at 1. FC Nürnberg.
Cup history: The fourth duel between the two traditional clubs
Eintracht has already won the DFB Cup five times (1974, 1975, 1981, 1988, 2018) and has reached the final three more times (1964, 2006, 2017). Stuttgart won the cup in 1954, 1958 and 1997, the finals in 1986, 2007 and 2013 were lost.
It is only the fourth duel between the two traditional clubs in the long history of the cup. Stuttgart won the round of 16 in 1980 and the second round match in 1998 (each 3-2), Frankfurt retained the upper hand in the quarter-finals in 1981 (2-1).
Glasner hopes for the “cup gene”, Stuttgart for further momentum
After nine Bundesliga games without a win, Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner has not lost confidence in a success in the cup. “We want to go to the final in Berlin and we will give our all in this all-or-nothing game”said the 48-year-old Austrian: “The atmosphere in the team is very good. Maybe it’s the cup gene.” There are still players in the team who experienced the DFB Cup victory in 2018 and the Europa League victory in 2022: “It’s engraved in your heart. Once you’ve experienced it, it’s a bit addictive.“
The Stuttgarters want to get further impetus for the final sprint in the Bundesliga relegation battle by reaching the final. That has worked very well before. An upward trend began on April 5 with the 1-0 win in the quarter-finals at 1. FC Nürnberg: “It lit the first spark”, says coach Sebastian Hoeneß about his debut as a coach with the Swabians. The record since then: two wins, two draws – and the jump to 15th place.
Frankfurt is hoping for Kolo Muani, Stuttgart is worried about Guirassy
Frankfurt can hope for the return of top striker Randal Kolo Muani. “It’s looking good again”, Glasner said. The attacker had recently had to pass against FC Augsburg due to adductor problems. Evan Ndicka will return from a hip injury while Djibril Sow is also fit again after illness.
Stuttgart fears for Serhou Guirassy. The Swabians’ most accurate attacker had to be replaced against Mönchengladbach after a collision with opponent Lars Stindl. “He’s fine so far. He has a small cut and a small swelling.”said Hoeneß: “In the end, the eyesight was limited. We have to monitor that. I don’t want to give the green light too early.”
The expected lineups
Stuttgart: Bredlov – Mavropanos, Zagadou, Anton – Vagnoman, Endo, Karazor, Sosa – Millot, Silas – Guirassy. – Trainer: Hoeness
Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe, Ndicka – Buta, Dina Ebimbe – Rode, Sow – Kamada, Götze – Kolo Muani. – Trainer: Glasner
Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)