Head coach Xabi Alonso made five changes for the quarter-final tie compared with the line-up in the 2-0 win at Darmstadt. As in previous DFB-Pokal ties, Matej Kovar was in goal again. Edmond Tapsoba made his first start of the year after his return from AFCON. With the backing of a vocal North Stand, the Werkself pressed high and were determined to control the ball and the game. But the first chance of the match fell to VfB – and it produced a goal: Waldemar Anton scored with a header from an Angelo Stiller corner to make it 1-0 (11'). The Werkself had the upper hand in terms of possession but were unable to create any decent chances. A slight threat on goal came from a long-range effort from Alejandro Grimaldo on the half-hour mark while VfB did not have any chances for a long time after scoring the opening goal.
Goal celebrations for the Black and Reds finally came on 40 minutes: Patrik Schick put the ball in the net at the far post from a tight angle. However, the Czechia international was just offside from a deflected pass by Grimaldo. The VfB keeper Alexander Nübel pulled off a good save to deny Grimaldo from a free kick (42') and that was followed by a back-heel effort by Schick two minutes later. The Werkself were on the front foot but were unable to level before the break so they went into half-time a goal down.
The Werkself, with no changes for the second 45 as were VfB too, endeavoured to attack straightaway and had a first big chance through Schick. But the striker was denied from close range by Nübel (47'). But two minutes later the goal music was finally played at the BayArena: Robert Andrich fired a shot from 20 metres out into the top corner. The first goal conceded by VfB in the current DFB-Pokal campaign brought an ecstatic response from the Werkself fans. However, the visitors from Stuttgart had a quick response: Chris Führich made the most of winning possession high up the pitch as he curled the ball past the Werkself keeper (58'). Now came the response from the Bundesliga league leaders: First, substitute Amine Adli coolly converted to level at 2-2 (67') after a pacy solo run. The two teams were now on level terms with neither side wanting to take risks. Adli had another good chance from a deflected header (89'). Everything was pointing to extra time but then Jonathan Tah rose to head the ball home on 90 minutes for the winner at 3-2 and a place in the semi-finals.
The Werkself are next in action with the top game in the Bundesliga: On Carnival Saturday 10 February (kick-off: 18.30 CET) the league leaders entertain second-placed Bayern Munich. The two teams leading Germany's top flight are currently separated by two points.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Kovar – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Frimpong (Stanisic 90+2’), Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Hofmann (Adli 64’), Wirtz (Hlozek 90+2’) - Schick (Iglesias 64’)
VfB Stuttgart: Nübel – Vagnoman, Rouault, Anton, Ito, Mittelstädt (Stergiou 70’) - Karazor, Stiller - Millot (Leweling 62’), Führich (Dahoud 78’) - Undav
Goals: 0-1 Anton (11’), 1-1 Andrich (49’), 1-2 Führich (58’), 2-2 Adli (67’), 3-2 Tah (90’)
Yellow cards: Andrich, Frimpong - Mittelstädt
Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)
Attendance: 30,210 (sell-out) at the BayArena
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