Stuttgart Advances in DFB Cup After Own Goal, Red Card for Bochum
Stuttgart defeated Bochum 1-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup, a match marked by an own goal and a sending-off. Bochum’s player Strompf headed a long throw-in from Ramon Hendriks into his own net in the 12th minute. Shortly before halftime, Strompf received a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity after initially being shown a yellow card, a decision confirmed by video review (45th + 1 minute).
Despite controlling possession for over 70 percent of the first half, Stuttgart struggled to create clear scoring chances. deniz Undav secured the win shortly after the break with his eighth goal in the last six competitive games (47th minute).
“We knew it would be a nasty game, the 1-0 win helped us, but I’m not at all happy with the performance. We played strangely, played erratically, but in the cup the only thing that counts is getting through,” Undav said on ARD.
Atakan Karazor added, “The Bochum team made it difficult for us. We are happy to be through.”
This is Stuttgart’s fourth consecutive appearance in the DFB Cup quarter-finals. For Bochum, it was their second defeat in eight games under new coach Uwe Rösler. Rösler had fielded the youngest VfL starting eleven of the millennium, hoping to disrupt play, stating before the match, “We have to keep the net playing time as short as possible, the ball shouldn’t be in play for too long.”
Bochum had early chances with Kjell Wätjen and Noah Loosli testing Stuttgart’s defense and goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow, who started in goal over Alexander Nübel. Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Francis Onyeka also had opportunities for Bochum, but failed to convert.
Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß rotated the squad, with only three players starting who also featured in the 1-2 loss against Hamburger SV.
Source: ntv.de, ses/sid
