Outstanding VfB Stuttgart leads BVB
Borussia Dortmund is the next heavyweight in German soccer to fail in the DFB Cup. After a desolate performance, the team was knocked out in the round of 16 by the strong VfB Stuttgart. For coach Edin Terzić, things are becoming increasingly unpleasant.
VfB Stuttgart's sky-high strikers mercilessly punished Borussia Dortmund's fearless soccer. The storming Swabians deservedly defeated the despondent BVB 2:0 (0:0) in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup and advanced to the last eight, just like last year. While VfB can dream of a fourth cup win in this form, the first goal of the season is gone for the visitors - and the crisis talk is likely to start all over again. Goal-guarantor Serhou Guirassy (54') and substitute Silas (77') scored for Stuttgart in front of national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
It was the first cup win over Dortmund in 25 years, also in the round of 16 (3:1). Borussia's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was just offside when he supposedly scored to make it 1:1 (60'). BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke watched the defeat with his arms folded and a petrified look in the stands. In front of 54,200 spectators in the sold-out MHP-Arena, VfB tried to "actively defend forwards", as coach Sebastian Hoeneß put it, with the duo of Guirassy and Deniz Undav. It worked, BVB were pinned back in their half. Borussia entrenched themselves there in the style of an underdog in a 5-4-1 system.
Captain Emre Can, who coach Edin Terzic had withdrawn to the center of defence, blocked Guirassy's first shot (7'). "Stand compact, create transitional moments and be dangerous with a lot of speed," was how sporting director Sebastian Kehl described the idea. Terzic brought on the speedy Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko. The latter had to leave the pitch injured after Marcel Sabitzer hit the crossbar (20th). Sabitzer's aluminum test was an exception: Dortmund lacked any real ideas in possession. VfB were more dangerous, for example through Undav (24./43.) or Atakan Karazor (45.+2).
BVB were also forced off after the restart with the injured Marius Wolf and Marcel Sabitzer. This did not change the style of play. Can saved again from Guirassy after Mats Hummels lost the ball (48'), then goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was on hand to save from the Guinean (52'). VfB's lead was a matter of time: Can and Nico Schlotterbeck were too late after the strong Enzo Millot's pinpoint pass, and Kobel got the ball through his legs. The "huge opportunity" that Kehl had conjured up for Dortmund to play out the title with the remaining Bundesliga clubs Leverkusen and Gladbach was hanging by a thread.
Kobel prevented Millot from making it 2:0 (58'). It was only now that the visitors woke up and opened up the game a little more. Guirassy also missed the next possible VfB goal (69'), but Silas, who had come on as a substitute six minutes earlier, did better.
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- Despite Mats Hummels' efforts in defense, Borussia Dortmund struggled to create opportunities against VfB Stuttgart, echoing the coach Edin Terzic's growing concerns.
- In the DFB Cup, Niclas Füllküng's Borussia Dortmund faced a stern test against the formidable VfB Stuttgart, led by Youssoufa Moukoko and striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored in the round of 16 match.
- Following Borussia Dortmund's elimination from the DFB Cup, VfB Stuttgart's coach Sebastian Hoeneß was pleased with his team's active defensive approach against the underdogs, paving the way for a 2:0 victory and a place in the last eight.
- In a campaign highlighted by multiple upsets, VfB Stuttgart eliminated another heavyweight, Borussia Dortmund, in the DFB Cup, with Edin Terzic's side struggling to find their footing after the departure of star player Erling Haaland to Manchester City.
Source: www.ntv.de
