VfB battle into last 16

Match summary:

Sebastian Hoeneß’s charges seized control of the game from the outset and created their first chance inside two minutes when Chris Führich narrowly missed Nick Woltemade’s cross at the back post. Pascal Stenzel had the next attempt at goal with a long-range drive that whistled over the bar (9’) before Woltemade broke the deadlock by finishing the rebound following a shot by Ermedin Demirovic (14’).

Lautern pull level

VfB were very much the better team but were unable to add to their lead. As a result, Kaiserslautern gained in confidence and were awarded a penalty by referee Daniel Schlager in the 43^rd minute, with Boris Tomiak converting from the spot. It was doubly frustrating for the home side as the foul appeared to take place outside the penalty area, but in the second round of the cup there is no VAR to intervene.

Stuttgart turn the screw

The home crowd roared on their side at the start of the second half – and the players responded, with Fabian Rieder going close with an effort from distance (47’). It was not all one-way traffic, however, as Ragnar Ache squandered two presentable chances for the visitors at the other end of the pitch (55’, 59’).

A goal appeared to be coming when Rieder’s free-kick struck the crossbar (71’), and it duly arrived moments later when Demirovic teed up Führich to score (75’). Jamie Leweling, on as a substitute, missed a chance to make it 3-1 just four minutes later but it was ultimately of little consequence as VfB saw the result to the final whistle to seal their place in the last 16.

Goals:

14^th minute: A well-worked goal from VfB as Stenzel finds Demirovic, whose attempted chip is saved. Woltemade is on hand to tuck away the rebound and make it 1-0.

43^rd minute: Kaiserslautern are awarded a penalty and Tomiak makes no mistake from the spot to equalise.

75^th minute: Demirovic pulls the ball back from the byline and finds Führich, whose precise shot into the far corner puts VfB 2-1 in front!