DFB Cup
3-1 - Late Mkhitaryan goal ensures semi-final spot for BVB
Mission accomplished! Borussia Dortmund have reached the DFB Cup semi-finals for the fourth time in five years after a deserved but tough 3-1 (2-1) victory away to VfB Stuttgart. It was an archetypal cup clash, with Stuttgart battling with everything they had as BVB held firm - and scored late on to ensure a semi-final berth.
Dennis-Julian Gottschlich reports
An attendance of 46,500 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena witnessed an intriguing and open cup clash in which BVB were the better team but conceded an equaliser from Rupp (21') after Reus had fired them ahead (5'). Aubameyang restored the visitors' lead before the interval (31'). The match subsequently developed into an exciting and intense affair, with Mkhitaryan rounding off victory for BVB late on (89').
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The scenario:
"It will be very difficult to play against VfB in this phase where they are showing their full potential and playing with such a balance between defence and attack," explained Thomas Tuchel in the run-up to the match against Stuttgart, who had won their last four and not lost in six in the Bundesliga following a poor first half of the season. It was the fifth time BVB had faced VfB in the DFB Cup, with the home team always emerging victorious: the Swabians recorded two victories (most recently in 1998) and the Westphalians triumphed twice (most recently in 1989). In the league the Black and Yellows emerged clear 4-1 winners at the end of November - Jürgen Kramny's mens' most recent defeat.
Personnel matters:
BVB coach Thomas Tuchel was only missing Sahin (lack of match fitness) and made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday, with Ginter and Durm replacing Weigl and Castro in the Black and Yellows' starting XI. VfB were without Barba (muscle tear) and Ginczek (lack of match fitness), though former BVB players Großkreutz and Langerak made the starting line-up.
Tactics:
VfB Stuttgart took to the field in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Dié in front of the back four. When not in possession, Didavi pushed forward from midfield to join Kravets in pressurising Hummels and rushing Borussia's build-up play towards the flanks. For Borussia, who lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, Mkhitaryan featured on the left of midfield with Gündogan on the right. Durm attacked down the left, from where he supplied Reus or Aubameyang, who repeatedly moved from the right flank into the centre, with dangerous crosses.
The match & analysis:
Despite the pouring rain and poor playing surface, BVB made a flying start as their very first shot on goal nestled in the back of the net after just five minutes. Following a failed clearance from Niedermeier, Mkhitaryan regained possession on the edge of the area before passing out wide to Aubameyang, who crossed into the six-yard box. Though Gündogan missed the ball, Reus was lurking at the far post to guide it underneath the bar from close range.
The Black and Yellows continued to keep the pressure up, keeping VfB busy with clever build-up play. Durm was particularly effective down the left flank and caused problems for the right side of Stuttgart's back four. On one occasion, Sunjic headed one of his crosses clear at the last minute as Reus lay in wait (11').
Aubameyang cancels out Rupp's equaliser
At the other end, the hosts only needed one chance to restore parity: BVB failed to clear the ball properly from a corner, presenting Rupp with a chance to shoot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball took an unlucky deflection off Mkhitaryan, sailing past the hapless Bürki into the top left corner to make it 1-1 (21'). Reus could have immediately restored the visitors' lead but missed by a hair's breadth (29'). It mattered little, however, as Aubameyang soon slotted home. Latching onto a pass from Reus, the Gabon forward struck a low shot from 16 metres into the bottom left corner (31'). Großkreutz then denied an unmarked Durm shortly before the break (45'+1).
The match continued in the same intense vein after the break too: Reus was unable to pull off a diving header (48'), before Hummels failed to direct his header with enough precision following a Mkhitaryan corner (51') and Langerak showed great reflexes to deny Aubameyang from a narrow angle (56'). Despite enjoying more of the chances, BVB's one-goal lead looked insufficient as Stuttgart repeatedly got dangerously close to Borussia's goal in short periods of pressure - but initially without creating any gilt-edged chances.
From then on the match swung to and fro. BVB were slightly too pedestrian in a penalty box scuffle, allowing Sunjic to scramble the ball away just in front of the line (67'). Shortly afterwards Kostic squandered a chance to equalise by heading straight into Bürki's arms, and then fired the ball narrowly over shortly afterwards (77'). Moments earlier, Niedermeier had managed to thwart Mkhitaryan using his back - though he didn't know too much about it (75'). At the other end, Bürki made two good saves against Gentner (82'/87').
Seconds later Mkhitaryan had a great chance to round off victory but missed from close range (88'). Then Stuttgart completely opened up and the Black and Yellows countered with Aubameyang, who squared the ball across the six-yard box for Mkhitaryan to secure the win (89').
Watch all the match videos on BVBtotal!
Prospects:
BVB will find out their semi-final opponents in Wednesday evening's draw, live on ARD following the match between VfL Bochum and Bayern Munich. The special guest is Germany handball goalkeeper Andreas Wolff. The semi-finals of the DFB Cup will take place on 19 and 20 April. Borussia's next Bundesliga match comes on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CET), when they take on Hannover 96 at Signal Iduna Park.