In the DFB Cup semifinals of his ex-clubs, former national soccer player Fredi Bobic does not see VfB Stuttgart as favorites against Bundesliga competitor Eintracht Frankfurt. “VfB comes into play as outsiders,” he told the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”. But there is also an opportunity in this.
“The chance of reaching the final is there. VfB has a home game and under Sebastian Hoeneß I see an enthusiastic team on the pitch again,” said Bobic, who was first a player and later also sporting director for the Swabians. Since Hoeneß came to Stuttgart as the new coach, VfB have been unbeaten in five competitive games so far.
However, on Wednesday (8.45 p.m. / ARD and Sky), the Swabians would meet an opponent “who has a lot of experience from special games,” said Bobic, who was also Eintracht’s sports director from 2016 to 2021. “I also think of the Eintracht semi-finals in Gladbach and Schalke in 2017 and 2018, when the opponents thought they were in the final because they had a home game.” The Frankfurt players have the special ability “not to be nervous in big games, but to be fully focused.” “Crackling tension” can be expected in the semi-final duel in Stuttgart.
VfB last won the cup in 1997
During his playing days, Bobic was a striker for the Stuttgart team that won the last of the club’s three DFB Cups in 1997. Hoeneß now wants to get the fourth to the Neckar – in the final on June 3rd in Berlin. First of all, however, it is in the round of the last four against Eintracht, who last won the cup competition in 2018.
Hoeneß can probably count on his top striker Serhou Guirassy again against the SGE. Hoeneß’ Frankfurt colleague Oliver Glasner is now hoping for an attack by French Vice World Champion Randal Kolo Muani after adductor problems.
