The VfB Stuttgart secured a spot in the DFB-Pokal semifinals by defeating FC Augsburg 1-0 in the quarterfinals at home. The hosts struggled to assert their control in the early stages, as Augsburg’s aggressive pressing made it difficult for them to gain a foothold. It took until the 26th minute for the home team to create a significant opportunity, with Undav’s chance on a sharp angle ultimately being thwarted by Labrovic’s miss.
In the 30th minute, the German international player made the decisive move, capitalizing on a failed clearance by Onyenka to set up Demirovic, who then found Undav and he finished with a shot against the goalkeeper’s direction.
With the lead in hand, the VfB Stuttgart played with far more confidence and nearly doubled their lead in the 44th minute, only to see Führich’s shot from a sharp angle hit the outside of the left post. The home team deservedly held the lead at halftime.
In the second half, the visitors increased their efforts to create scoring chances, but the hosts defended solidly and did not create many opportunities of their own. The match thus developed into a grinding, uneventful affair that ultimately favored the home team.
In the 79th minute, Augsburg did manage to create a genuine scoring opportunity, as Giannoulis crossed the ball from the left and found Kömür in the middle, but the Augsburg player’s shot from seven meters was saved by Nübel. The away team lacked ideas for the rest of the match and Stuttgart was ultimately left to celebrate their semifinal qualification.