Stuttgart Advances to DFB-Pokal Semi-Finals After Defeating Augsburg

VfB Stuttgart put an end to a three-match losing streak and secured their place in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal with a solid 1-0 victory over Augsburg.

With aspirations of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 12 years, Stuttgart started confidently against an Augsburg side that hasn’t reached this stage since 2010.

The home team dominated possession in the first half, controlling nearly two-thirds of the ball, though converting that control into clear goal-scoring opportunities proved challenging. Deniz Undav appeared to be the most dangerous player, but his effort midway through the half was a weak shot that was comfortably collected by Nediljko Labrovic. Stuttgart continued to apply pressure and found the breakthrough at the half-hour mark when Undav scored following a quick counter-attack.

Buoyed by this goal, Stuttgart almost doubled their advantage just before half-time, but Chris Fuhrich’s attempt was thwarted by the goalkeeper at the near post, resulting in the ball hitting the side netting.

Stuttgart resumed the second half much as they had ended the first, dominating possession and keeping Augsburg on the back foot.

Struggling to establish any rhythm, Augsburg found it difficult to penetrate Stuttgart’s defence, with Alexander Nübel rarely tested in goal for the home side. Nübel finally had to spring into action in the 71st minute when Mert Komur unleashed a shot from distance, but the keeper dealt with it comfortably. Komur emerged as Augsburg’s main threat, forcing another save from Nübel moments later, but he failed to capitalise when picked out in the box.

Ultimately, Undav’s solitary strike in the first half was enough for the southwestern German side to advance to the semi-finals, leaving them just one match away from reaching their first final since their defeat against Bayern Munich in the 2012/13 season. This defeat also ended Augsburg’s four-game unbeaten run and extended their winless streak against Stuttgart to seven matches (W6, D1).