“Known for hurting people”
DFB professional criticizes opponents after cup duel
October 29, 2025 – 11:56 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In Mainz, VfB Stuttgart reached the round of 16 of the DFB Cup. After the game, Deniz Undav was annoyed with a player from the home team.
A safe away win at FSV Mainz 05 gave VfB Stuttgart a place in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup. The Swabians won 2-0 against their league rivals on Wednesday evening. But striker Deniz Undav had to talk after the game, and not just because of the success in the Mewa Arena. The DFB professional was upset with one of his opponents.
Undav pointed out the aggressive style of play of the 05ers on the Sky microphone. But his team didn’t let themselves get down and won against Mainz for the second time in a row. The 29-year-old was then asked about his yellow card, which he received in the 61st minute from referee Deniz Aytekin after he had complained vehemently.
The attacker explained the situation – and shot at Mainz professional Dominik Kohr. Undav said about the defender: “Kohr was just fouling, especially after his yellow card. He then played two, three, four more fouls, which I just got upset at some point because as a referee you have to stop that at some point.” Undav emphasized that at some point he became louder and that’s why Aytekin received a yellow card. But he doesn’t want to complain about that.
Undav emphasized once again that he would have liked the referee to take tougher action. Mainz went into the duels “disgustingly,” said the goalscorer. “At some point, as a referee, you just have to stop the game and simply give the yellow-red at some point after the yellow card.” Then Undav became even clearer about Kohr: “Because he’s also known for hurting people. That’s why he should be punished for that at some point.”
In fact, Kohr has long been considered a tough defensive player. No player in the history of the Bundesliga has seen more dismissals than the 31-year-old. Kohr had to leave the field early eight times.