Sunjic heads VfB into the quarters - Hertha continue good run
VfB Stuttgart dig deep while Hertha BSC cruise into the next round: The two Bundesliga clubs have confirmed their place in the quarterfinals of the DFB Cup. After going behind to an early goal, and after a bit of luck in extra time, VfB eventually overcame second division side Eintracht Braunschweig, 3-2 the score AET. For Hertha BSC, it was a far more comfortable victory over their second division opponents 1. FC Nuremberg: Vladimir Darida and John-Anthony Brooks scored the goals.
Stuttgart encountered problems from very early on in the game against Braunschweig, who did anything but hide from the challenge. Baffo even put the team at fifth in the Bundesliga 2 in front, jumping higher than everyone at a corner and heading home to make it 1-0. The hosts were visibly stunned by the early goal, and the Bundesliga strugglers failed to create any danger going forward following the goal. Braunschweig’s goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz had very little to do and there was very little he could do when Niedermeier eventually came to head home the equaliser.
Darida and Brooks send in-form Hertha into the next round
Hertha BSC have taken a step closer to fulfilling their dream of reaching the DFB-Cup final in their home ground. In a largely less than exciting game, the in-form boys from the German capital swept aside their determined, but ultimately inferior opposition Nuremberg, and confirmed their first quarterfinal place since the 2011/12 season.
Borussia go marching on
In the later games, last year’s finalists Borussia Dortmund and second division side VfL Bochum became the last two teams to qualify for the quarterfinals of the DFB Cup. In an exciting encounter between the two Europa League sides, BVB secured a 2-0 victory over Augsburg thanks to goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrich Mkhitaryan, meaning they go into the winter break, alive in all three competitions. Bochum also won their game 2-0, beating 1860 München in the last 16. With that, six teams from the Bundesliga remain (Dortmund, Bayern München, VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen, Hertha BSC and Werder Bremen) and two teams from the Bundesliga 2. (Bochum and FC Heidenheim).
After FCA captain Paul Verhaegh was called upon to clear Lukasz Piszczek’s header off the line 15 minutes in, Thomas Tuchel’s men began to take more and more control of the game, especially in the midfield. The visitors looked more determined and eloquent in possession. Aubameyang had the best chance of the half saved by Marwin Hitz.
BVB continued to pile on the pressure after the half-time break, and Augsburg stood deep and prepared for the opportunity to counterattack - a method which very nearly paid off. Then, just as Augsburg had begun to put pressure on for the first time, Aubameyang nodded home before Mkhitaryan provided the sucker punch to kill the game with a precise effort from 18 yards. Augsburg looked for a response, but failed to cause BVB any problems in the closing stages.
Haberer and Hoogland on target in Munich
VfL Bochum have qualified for the quarterfinals of the DFB cup for the first time since 2012. Manager Gertjan Verbeek’s team celebrated the third cup victory this season without conceding. Janik Haberer and Tim Hoogland came up with the goods in the closing stages of the first half to decide the game. This was VfL’s fourth cup victory in four cup games against 1860 München, all of which have been in the last 16.
