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DFB Cup

Semi-finals

VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart - SCF Freiburg Freiburg

  • T. Tomás
    119'
  • D. Undav
    70'
  • 28'
    M. Eggestein
MHPArena(Sold out)
whistleTobias Welz
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Full-time in extra time: Stuttgart 2-1 Freiburg

Tomás’ late, late strike at the end of a pulsating, breathless tie sends Stuttgart back to Berlin, where they will face Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup final on 23 May. The Stuttgart fans are ecstatic, Freiburg's players are crestfallen.
Full-time
Full-time
120'
+ 3

Freiburg corner

Müller is up for the corner but can't get on the end of it. Nübel eventually gathers the loose ball. Are Stuttgart heading back to Berlin?
120'
+ 2

Into added time

This isn't over just yet...
120'
+ 1

Yellow card

120'

Tomás strikes at the death!

Pandemonium among the Stuttgart fans as Tomás gets on the end of a right-wing cross from Bouanani, flicking the ball beyond Müller and into the far corner. He's booked for taking his shirt off, but he won't care one bit!
Goal probability
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Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
10 %
Distance to Goal
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Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
7.89 m
119'

Preparing for penalties?

Vagnoman and Bouanani come on. Undav and Führich make way.
117'

Still trying to find a winner

Scherhant is forced back by Leweling but lays the ball off for Günter, whose outswinging cross from the left flank is cut out.
116'

Off target from Leweling

The Stuttgart winger takes aim from the corner of the box but the ball sails over the bar. Into the final five.
114'

Another change

Ogbus enters the fray for Treu as Schuster brings on more fresh legs.
113'

Substitution

112'

Better late than never

Stuttgart struggled to trouble Müller in the first half but the 28-year-old has kept Freiburg in this tie with several magnificent saves.
Goal attempts
20off target
8on target
10off target
3on target
109'

Routine save

Ginter looks to release Scherhant but the Freiburg substitute isn't quite on the same wavelength. At the other end, Undav sends a close-range header straight into the arms of Müller.
107'

Corner cleared - just!

Tomás' goal-bound effort is blocked by Kübler and flies behind for a Stuttgart corner, which Freiburg eventually scramble clear. Desperate defending from the visitors.
106'

We go again

Stuttgart kick off the second half of extra time. Will there be a winner? Or are we going to penalties?
Kick-off!
105'
+ 3

Half-time in extra time: Stuttgart 1-1 Freiburg

Freiburg have had the ball in the net, but the visitors have Müller to thank for keeping them on level terms!
Half-time
105'
+ 1

Two minutes added on

Into stoppage time at the end of the first period of extra time.
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Astonishing save!

El Khannouss plays a magnificent one-two with Undav before prodding the ball towards the far corner from deep inside the area. The Stuttgart man is already wheeling away in celebration but Müller somehow gets his fingertips to the shot, which curls just wide of the post and out for a VfB corner. Best save of the night so far?
102'

Double change

Makengo and Beste make way for Günter and Kübler.
100'

Cramp setting in

Makengo needs a spot of treatment as the clock ticks past 100 minutes. Both sets of players are starting to tire now.
99'

Confident keeping

Hendriks, who has just been cautioned, makes way for Jaquez. Karazor then gets on the end of a deep cross into the Freiburg area but Müller makes an easy save.
97'

Off the woodwork!

Undav plays a perfectly weighted pass into Führich, whose first-time effort rebounds off the foot of the post! Huge let-off for Freiburg, and what a chance for Stuttgart!
96'

Two more yellows

Höler talks his way into the referee's notebook and is quickly followed by Hendriks, who is cautioned for a robust challenge on Scherhant.
95'

Yellow card

94'

Yellow card

93'

From one end to the other - again!

Undav almost picks out El Khannouss at the other end of the pitch, but the first-half substitute takes a heavy touch and the ball rolls harmlessly out of play for a Freiburg goal-kick.
92'

Höler denied!

The Freiburg man has the ball in the net inside the opening minute of extra time, but the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul and the goal is chalked off! What a start to the extra 30 minutes!
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Extra time under way!

Tomás is on for Demirović as Freiburg kick off extra time.
Extra time
End of second half
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End of 90 minutes: Stuttgart 1-1 Freiburg

Wow. What a second half at the MHP Arena. It's been frantic at times, with both sides going close to booking their place in the final next month. We've yet to find a winner, though, so into extra time we go!
90'
+ 4

Müller again!

El Khannouss - who has been outstanding since coming on - breaks clear down the left before cutting the ball back for Undav, whose shot from inside the box is parried away by Müller! Another magnificent save!
90'
+ 2

What a save!

Müller produces an outstanding one-handed save to prevent Führich's curling drive from nestling inside the far post. Superb goalkeeping from the former VfB stopper, who was Freiburg's hero in the last round against Hertha.
90'
+ 1

Four minutes added on

Time for a late, late twist?
88'

Narrowly wide from Undav!

Almost a carbon-copy finish from the Stuttgart striker, who scored from a similar position midway through the second half but this time guides his shot narrowly wide of Müller's far post.
86'

Straight at Müller

El Khannouss tries his luck from the edge of the Freiburg box but his right-footed effort flies straight into Müller's arms.
83'

No letting up

Both sides' energy levels have been astonishing tonight. Neither really deserves to lose, but only one of them can join Bayern in the Berlin showpiece...
81'

Off the post!

Undav's low cross from the right deflects off Ginter before rebounding off the foot of Müller's left-hand post. Almost a second goal for the home side!
78'

Stuttgart pushing

The home side are beginning to turn the screw as we approach the final ten minutes (of the 90, at least) of a breathless DFB Cup semi-final.
76'

Physical contest

It's been quite a battle between Chabot and Matanović tonight.
Duels won
17
20
Jeff Chabot Igor Matanović
Jeff Chabot
Igor Matanović
74'

Matanović cautioned

Freiburg have an opportunity to strike back on the counter-attack, but Matanović takes a heavy touch before lunging into Hendriks. No complaints from the Freiburg striker.
74'

Yellow card

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On a knife-edge

Who will join Bayern in the final? Your guess is as good as ours. Both teams are giving it their all in the second half. Is there time for a winner before the end of the 90? Or are we heading for extra time?
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There's the equaliser!

Moments after Matanović and Suzuki are denied by last-ditch challenges at one end, Undav fires Stuttgart level at the other! It's a lovely finish from the in-form forward, who steers a low, right-footed shot beyond Müller after latching onto El Khannouss' pass. We're all square again!
Goal probability
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Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
8 %
Distance to Goal
info-small
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
18.42 m
67'

Not clinical enough

Stiller very nearly cancelled out Eggestein's opener, but it remains the hosts' only shot on target so far.
Goal attempts
9off target
1on target
6off target
3on target
65'

Nearly...

Ginter can't quite get his head on the end of Grifo's teasing cross at the other end. The first 20 minutes of the second half have absolutely flown by!
64'

Goal disallowed!

Stiller does find the net this time, guiding a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, but the hosts' celebrations are cut short by the linesman's flag. Demirović was offside in the build-up!
61'

How did that not go in?

Stiller's low delivery rolls all the way across the face of goal, but the hosts recycle possession and the Stuttgart midfielder almost forces the ball over the line from point-blank range. Out of nowhere, though, Müller sticks out a strong right hand to prevent VfB from getting back on level terms.
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Hosts taking more risks

Stuttgart are committing plenty of bodies forward but Freiburg have the players to hurt VfB on the break. The next goal is so, so important.
57'

Another yellow

Grifo is booked after preventing Stuttgart from taking a quick free-kick.
56'

Yellow card

55'

Silky from Manzambi

The Freiburg man almost finds space for a shot after nutmegging Leweling inside the area, but Chabot spares his team-mate's blushes with a timely clearance.
52'

Frantic start to second half

Suzuki is outmuscled inside the Stuttgart box and the hosts immediately charge up the other end, looking to hit Freiburg on the counter. Führich eventually finds room for the cross but Müller plucks the delivery out of the air.
50'

Manzambi denied

A cross into the Stuttgart area is cleared only as far as Manzambi, whose shot from inside the box is charged down by a VfB defender. Matanović sends a speculative effort high over Nübel's crossbar moments later.
48'

Wide from Führich!

Stuttgart pick up where they left off at the end of the first half as Leweling rolls the ball across the face of goal into the path of Führich, who can't quite wrap his foot around the shot. Another golden opportunity for the hosts early in the second period.
47'

Ginter alert to danger

Stuttgart win an early free-kick wide on the left-hand side after Treu's foul on Undav, but Führich's delivery is headed clear by Ginter.
46'

Off we go again!

Stuttgart kick off the second half.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 4

Stuttgart out for second half

The home side re-emerge from the MHP Arena tunnel, closely followed by Freiburg. The second period is about to get under way...
45'
+ 4

HT: Freiburg working hard

Distance run (km)
57.9
59.5
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Half-time: Stuttgart 0-1 Freiburg

The home side have seen more of the ball but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities until the final stages of the first half, when Demirović and Leweling both flashed efforts narrowly off target. Freiburg have been rock-solid at the back and ruthless at the other, with Eggestein's 28th-minute strike giving them a narrow lead at the interval.
Half-time
45'
+ 3

What a block!

Undav gets on the end of a loose ball and slams a shot towards goal from point-blank range, but Matanović flings himself in the way of the ball to deflect it behind for a corner, which comes to nothing. Magnificent defending from the Freiburg striker!
45'
+ 1

Into stoppage time

Two minutes added on at the end of the first half.
44'

So close!

Another magnificent opportunity for Stuttgart as Leweling cuts inside onto his left foot before sending a low drive agonisingly past Müller's left-hand post. The hosts are knocking on the door as half-time approaches...
42'

No takers

Leweling sends a lovely ball across the face of goal but none of his team-mates can get on the end of it.
40'

Over from Demirović!

The striker has a chance to test Müller after getting on the end of Undav's pass but can't keep his effort on target, sending the ball fizzing narrowly over the crossbar. That was Stuttgart's best chance of the game so far.
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Two in two

Eggestein's opener was his second goal in as many games after the midfielder's winner against Heidenheim at the weekend. Will it be enough to give his side a half-time lead at the MHP Arena?
36'

Hosts finishing half strongly

Stuttgart appear to be finding their feet again as we enter the final ten minutes of the first half, but Freiburg haven't looked like conceding. The visitors have been magnificent at the back so far.
34'

Freiburg more clinical so far

Goal attempts
2off target
0on target
0off target
3on target
32'

Can Stuttgart respond?

The home side have a good opportunity here after Matanović's foul on Leweling around 30 metres from goal. Führich takes the resulting free-kick but the winger's lofted delivery is too close to Müller.
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Freiburg lead!

There's the opener! The corner is flicked on into the path of Ginter, whose header picks out the unmarked Eggestein inside the six-yard box. The midfielder's first-time header flies past Nübel and into the net to put the visitors ahead!
Goal probability
info-small
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
32 %
Distance to Goal
info-small
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
3.46 m
27'

From one end to the other

Leweling's cross into Demirović is hooked clear and Freiburg immediately surge up the other end and win a corner.
25'

Visitors growing in confidence

Beste's corner is headed clear, but Freiburg are continuing to emerge from their shells at the MHP Arena. Julian Schuster will be very pleased with his side's efforts so far.
23'

Free-flowing move

Grifo picks out Suzuki, whose cross towards the far post is hooked back into the centre by Matanović. Nübel is alert to the danger though, darting off his line to collect the cross.
21'

Freiburg improving

That Eggestein opportunity appears to have lifted the visitors, who are starting to see more of the ball in the Stuttgart half of the pitch.
19'

Stuttgart dominating possession...

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xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
...but the hosts have yet to properly trouble Müller in the Freiburg goal.
xGoals
0
0.03
0.34
0
Goals
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Lovely move - and a good save!

Grifo does brilliantly to pick out Eggestein inside the Stuttgart box, but the Freiburg midfielder's left-footed effort is saved by Nübel. Manzambi and Leweling are then involved in a minor altercation, with both players talking themselves into referee Tobias Welz's book.
17'

Yellow card

17'

Yellow card

16'

Nartey cautioned

Another late challenge - this time from Nartey on Eggestein - results in the second booking of the night.
15'

Yellow card

14'

First booking

Makengo catches Leweling with a late challenge and is shown the game's first yellow card.
13'

Yellow card

11'

Excellent defending

Führich whips a teasing ball into the penalty area, but Lienhart manages to beat Demirović to the winger's cross. Good defending from the Freiburg man.
9'

Hosts applying pressure

Stuttgart are beginning to see more of the ball, with Führich and Undav particularly lively in the final third so far. Freiburg are camped deep inside their own half at the moment.
7'

Not troubling Müller

Undav unleashes the first shot of the match but the Stuttgart striker's 25-metre effort isn't troubling Müller, who watches the ball sail high over his crossbar.
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Stuttgart settling

Führich, who was one of Stuttgart's standout performers at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, wins the hosts their first corner of the match. The winger's delivery finds Chabot at the far post, but the defender can't direct his header on target.
2'

Bright Freiburg start

Makengo tries to control a long ball over the top of the Stuttgart defence, but the Freiburg midfielder takes a heavy touch and the ball rolls behind for a VfB goal-kick.
1'

Off we go!

The visitors get the action under way at a raucous MHP Arena.
Kick-off!

Here come the teams!

Kick-off at the MHP Arena is just a few moments away.
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One step closer...

Can Hoeneß and his Stuttgart players make it back-to-back DFB Cup final appearances? Or will Freiburg reach their first showpiece since 2022?
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Müller returns

Freiburg goalkeeper Müller (pictured, right) normally plays second fiddle to Atubolu but has played every minute of Die Breisgauer's cup campaign since the second round, including the penalty shoot-out victory over Hertha Berlin in the last eight. The 28-year-old returns to his former stomping ground tonight, having spent two years with Stuttgart between 2021 and 2023.
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More on that Freiburg side

Julian Schuster makes six alterations to the Freiburg team that started the 2-1 win over Heidenheim, with Müller, Suzuki (pictured, centre), Beste, Makengo, Lienhart and Treu coming in for Atubolu, Höler, Scherhant, Günter, Ogbus and Kübler.
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More on that Stuttgart side

Sebastian Hoeneß make four changes to the team that started the 4-2 Bundesliga defeat at Bayern Munich at the weekend. Undav (pictured), Demirović, Mittelstädt and Nartey are restored to the side, with Tomás, El Khannouss and Vagnoman dropping to the bench. Jeltsch misses out altogether through injury.

Freiburg subs

Atubolu, Günter, Kübler, Ogbus, Höfler, Höler, Irié, Philipp, Scherhant

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Assignon, Jaquez, Vagnoman, Zagadou, Chema, El Khannouss, Bouanani, Tomás
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Angelo Stiller on facing Freiburg

The midfielder told Stuttgart's club website: "It’s a do-or-die game – both teams know that only one can go through to the final. The risk will vary depending on the situation, as a single mistake could decide the outcome of the match. On top of that, the intensity will be very high at every moment.”
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Stuttgart team news

Finn Jeltsch will definitely miss the encounter due to the abdominal injury he sustained against Bayern, but otherwise Sebastian Hoeneß has a clean bill of health.
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Freiburg team news

While Patrick Osterhage remains sidelined with a knee injury, Max Rosenfelder (pictured) was able to train in full for the first time in two months on Tuesday after suffering a thigh injury. It remains to be seen if he is ready for action in the cup semi-final, however.
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Julian Schuster on facing Stuttgart

“It will be a tough challenge, but one we are approaching with plenty of self-belief. Of course, we’ll need a performance where we are at our best in many areas, and we also have to accept that the opposition have their qualities. There will be moments when we have to be ready to suffer."
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Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Freiburg

"We’re capable of really dominating and applying pressure at home. It’s clear we’ll have to defend at the highest level and throw everything into the one-v-one duels. We're highly motivated to reach our second DFB Cup final in succession - you can already feel the positive energy among the lads."
1:24
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Watch: Hoeneß talks Freiburg and desire for another final

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Bayern await

Luis Díaz and Harry Kane were on target as Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 away in the other semi-final on Wednesday evening, sealing their spot in the title-decider on 23 May in Berlin.
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Jeltsch sidelined

On Monday, Stuttgart confirmed via their official channels that defender Finn Jeltsch sustained an abdominal muscle injury in his side's 4-2 defeat to Bayern Munich at the weekend, and will therefore be unavailable for the Swabians in the coming days. A recovery roadmap has yet to be outlined.
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Sebastian Hoeneß speaking after Stuttgart's defeat

“We now need to quickly shift our focus to the DFB-Pokal semi-final against Freiburg. We will make reaching the final our top priority. The defeat in Munich doesn’t change that.”
2:03
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Watch: Bayern 4-2 Stuttgart

Stuttgart's preparations, meanwhile, were less than ideal, as they were swept aside by Bayern despite taking the lead through Chris Führich, as the Bavarians picked up their 34th Bundesliga title.
2:03
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Watch: Freiburg 2-1 Heidenheim

Freiburg had the perfect preparation for Thursday's cup tie as they picked up a 2-1 win against Heidenheim thanks to a late goal from Maximilian Eggestein.
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Cup pedigree - Stuttgart

Stuttgart beat then 3.Liga side Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in last season's DFB Cup final in Berlin. Die Schwaben also got their hands on the trophy in 1996/97, 1986/86, 1957/58 and 1953/54. They are three-time runners-up.
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Cup pedigree - Freiburg

Freiburg are through to their fourth DFB Cup semi-final, after reaching the last four in 2012/13 - when they lost 2-1 to Stuttgart - and most recently in 2022/23. The Black Forest club got the better of Hamburg at this stage in 2021/22, before falling to RB Leipzig on penalties in their first major final appearance. It was also Leipzig who ended their hopes of landing a maiden DFB Cup in the semis a year later.
2:03
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Watch: Stuttgart 1-0 Freiburg - highlights

Stuttgart lost 3-1 in Freiburg in the early part of the Bundesliga campaign, but edged the reverse fixture in February thanks to a brilliant late goal from Ermedin Demirović.
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The story so far - Stuttgart

Stuttgart were taken to penalties by Bundesliga 2 side Eintracht Braunschweig in the first round, but have since won in regulation time against top-flight rivals Mainz (2-0) and second-tier clubs Bochum (2-0) and Holstein Kiel (3-0). The semi-final with Freiburg will be their first home fixture in this season's competition.
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The story so far - Freiburg

Freiburg are facing Bundesliga opposition for the first time in this season's cup. Die Breisgauer beat fourth-tier Lotte in the first round, before dispatching Bundesliga 2 pair Fortuna Düsseldorf (3-1) and Darmstadt (2-0) inside 90 minutes. However, Julian Schuster’s team needed penalties to end second division Hertha Berlin’s resistance in the quarter-finals.

Welcome!

Holders VfB Stuttgart host regional rivals Freiburg in the DFB Cup semi-finals. Stay tuned for build-up, live coverage and match reaction...