VfB Stuttgart will aim to do the double over Borussia Dortmund as a spot in the final eight of the DFB Pokal beckons.
Borussia Dortmund will travel to the MHPArena to take on a Stuttgart side that is enjoying a fine season thanks to their prowess upfront. The winner will progress to the quarter finals and have a real shot at going all the way in the competition.
Stuttgart got the better of the Bundesliga clash between the two teams earlier this season. Top goal scorer Serhou Guirassy was the difference maker on the night ass he slotted home from the spot to hand Stuttgart a 2-1 win.
Sebastian Hoeness’s side made it to the semifinal of the competition last season and will hope to go at least one further. Stuttgart defeated Union Berlin in the previous round and are currently on a four game winning streak going into the game.
Dortmund have taken on the moniker of this season’s Jekyll and Hyde. Despite securing qualification to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Edin Terzic’s charges have not shown the same aura of invincibility on the domestic front.
The visitors held on to an impressive point against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend and will hope to build on it against Stuttgart. With Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig both out, Dortmund have a real shot at going all the way if they get their bearings right.
The game promises to be an exciting one between two sides who are currently in good form. With just three wins separating both sides from the trophy, there should be no shortage of intensity. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how these two sides will line up and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
VfB Stuttgart
It has been an excellent start to the 2023/24 campaign for VfB Stuttgart. Not only are they within touching distance of the last eight of the Cup but also moved up to third spot in the Bundesliga standings following the win over Werder Bremen.
A major reason for their success has been the prolific numbers put up by star strikers Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav. The former has netted 17 times in 12 games across all competitions, while his partner has found the back of the net nine times in 11 matches. They will both hope to add to that tally on Wednesday night.
Sebastian Hoeness is likely to retain the side that won against Bremen at the weekend. The trio of Lilian Egloff (Knee), Hiroki Ito (Muscle) and Nikolas Nartey (Knee) are all recovering from injuries and are unavailable for the match. Roberto Massimo is also struggling with a muscular issue and is a doubt for the game. The home side has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
The 4-4-2 formation that can double up as a 4-2-2-2 should once again be the way to go for Stuttgart. Alexander Nubel should start in goal behind the back four of Josha Vagnoman, Waldemar Anton, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Maximilian Mittelstadt.
Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller should hold down the fort with Silas and Chris Fuhrich pushing forward. Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav will retain their spots upfront and will be the players to watch.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Nubel; Vagnoman, Anton, Zagadou, Mittelstadt; Silas, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich, Undav, Guirassy
Borussia Dortmund
Edin Terzic will be keen to lead Borussia Dortmund to their first DFB Pokal since 2021. He will be emboldened by the early exits suffered by Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, leaving the door open for another team to take the crown for just the second time in the last six years.
Dortmund arrive at the MHPArena following an excellent away point against Bayer Leverkusen. However, Xabi Alonso’s side dominated proceedings and Dortmund will need to considerably up their game. Having already lost the corresponding tie in the Bundesliga, Terzic will be aware that he cannot take the result for granted.
The visitors will be without the injured duo of Julien Duranville (Thigh) and Felix Nmecha (Hip). They have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
🏆 Pokalwoche für den BVB! pic.twitter.com/xqMKQXHMM0
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) December 4, 2023
Dortmund are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Gregor Kobel should start in goal behind the back four of Niklas Sule, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck and Julian Ryerson.
The double pivot of Marcel Sabitzer and Salih Ozcan will aim to cut off service to Stuttgart’s frontline, isolating them upfront. How well they do could determine the freedom and impact that the trio of Donyell Malen, Marco Reus and Julian Brandnt have pushing forward.
Niclas Fullkrug should lead the line and will hope to score against Stuttgart for the second time this season at the MHPArena.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Sabitzer, Ozcan; Malen, Brandt, Reus; Fullkrug
Key Stats
- VfB Stuttgart have won the DFB Pokal thrice, but their last triumph in the competition was all the way back in 1997.
- Borussia Dortmund have won the competition five times, last lifting it in 2021.
- Stuttgart are the only team in Germany’s top two divisions yet to be involved in a draw in 2023/24.
- Borussia Dortmund have been knocked out at this stage four times in the last six years.
- The last time both of these clubs faced off in the round of 16 in the DFB Pokal was in 1998/99 when Stuttgart came out on top.
Player to Watch
Serhou Guirassy
The 27-year-old has been sensational for Stuttgart this season and will once again be the man that the home side will look to making a difference on the field. A reliable goal scorer who is adept both on the field and also in the air, Guirassy will take some stopping if allowed to get into rhythm.
The Guinean is attracting considerable attention from some of Europe’s top clubs and a solid showing against Dortmund will not hamper his reputation. More so, Guirassy also helps take the focus off Undav, who will then get the opportunity to wreak havoc himself. It will not come as a surprise should the Stuttgart number nine be the difference maker on the night.
Prediction
VfB Stuttgart 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
While Dortmund have been in good form of late, Stuttgart have momentum going for them and will also take confidence from having beaten Dortmund earlier in the campaign. With their attack clicking and with home support to boot, Stuttgart should once again get the better of their visitors at the MHPArena.
