Stuttgart’s winning goalscorer Enzo Millot proudly patted himself on the chest, his team-mates immediately formed a cluster around him and cheered their semi-finals in the DFB Cup to the well-known shouts of “Berlin, Berlin”.
In front of thousands of VfB fans who had traveled with them, the Bundesliga soccer club began its evening of partying under the Nuremberg night sky. “In the end it was a work victory. The goal came very, very late, but in the end it was deserved,” commented the relieved VfB manager Fabian Wohlgemuth on Sky about the cup fight against 1. FC Nürnberg. Millot’s goal in the 83rd minute had previously given Stuttgart a place in the semi-finals.
Wohlgemuth still quarreled, especially with half one. The “changeover moments were not used” and “no real chances were created”, explained the manager. It only got better after the change: “In the second half we took control of the game.”
VfB in the cup semifinals for the first time since 2013
“Preparing things for the cup game in a day and a half wasn’t easy,” said Wohlgemuth, referring to new coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who was only announced on Monday as the successor to the hapless Bruno Labbadia and with his new team until Nürnberg-Spiel only completed a joint unit. “Very pragmatic solutions” were chosen and “many compromises” made, said Wohlgemuth.
Reaching the cup semifinals for the first time since 2013 is a “clear contrast to the championship round”, the 44-year-old stated, “that can give you a boost and a great motivation for Sunday”. Then VfB occurs at table 14. VfL Bochum, who have collected six points more than bottom Stuttgart. The most important thing is the fight to stay up, said Wohlgemuth.
Big chances in the first half are scarce
In Nuremberg, 50,000 fans had turned the Max Morlock Stadium into a cauldron right from the start. The rush, which was unusual for Franconian conditions, even led to such massive problems on arrival that the game was kicked off 30 minutes later than planned. At least for the supporters who had hoped for playful highlights, the wait wasn’t worth it at first.
From the middle of the first half, the urge phases alternated, but great chances remained in short supply. First, the Swabians controlled the game. There were hardly any breaks for the “club”, which only managed a few relief attacks. However, the final minutes belonged to the hosts again, who in turn lacked precision in the end. There was no sign of a class difference in a tough cup game in the first 45 minutes.
Stuttgart more active after the break
Whatever Hoeneß gave the Stuttgarters in his first half speech, it had an effect: the Bundesliga club suddenly showed the announced offensive football and got their first big chance with a header from Waldemar Anton (53rd minute). Luca Pfeiffer (63′) was unable to use an unnecessary rebound from FCN keeper Peter Vindahl and put the ball over the goal from close range – lucky for Nürnberg.
The substitution of Serhou Guirassy livened up the Stuttgart offensive game. Vindahl (71st) parried twice against the center forward. On the other hand, Stuttgart goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, who played in Nuremberg from 2017 to 2019, was completely unemployed. In this phase, the “Club” placed themselves far behind, all men were in their own half. When everything pointed to an extension, Millot, who had just been substituted on, redeemed the guests and gave Hoeneß a successful debut.
