As of: February 6, 2024, 8:39 p.m
By: Niklas Kirk
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Split
Bayer Leverkusen will face VfB Stuttgart in the BayArena at home.
The winner is considered the favorite to win the cup.
The quarter-finals now in the live ticker.
DFB Cup quarter-finals: Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfB Stuttgart |
0:0 (-:-)
Before the league showdown against Bayern: Cup duel for Leverkusen “the only thing that counts”
This live ticker is continuously updated
Update, 8:33 p.m.:
As the stadium fills up, the teams gradually retreat into the dressing room and are once again loudly encouraged by both corners.
Before the game, Sebastian Hoeneß once again referred to the self-confidence he has gained through the last two victories in the Bundesliga.
In an interview with
ARD
, Xabi Alonso emphasized the virtues of “patience and control” with which the uncomfortable opponent should be defeated today.
Bayer Leverkusen – VfB Stuttgart 0:0 (-:-)
Bayer Leverkusen lineup |
Kovar - Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie - Frimpong, G. Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Schick, Wirtz |
Lineup VfB Stuttgart |
Nübel - Rouault, Anton, H. Ito, Mittelstädt - Karazor, Stiller, Vagnoman, Millot, Führich - Undav |
Gates: |
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Viewers: |
Update, 8:12 p.m.:
And another quick look at the teams' cup successes and near-successes: Bavaria has only been able to win the DFB Cup in 1993, and they were last in the final in 2020.
VfB, on the other hand, may be looking for their fourth triumph this year after 1954, 1958 and 1997.
The Swabians were last able to play their way to the final in 2013, only to lose to FC Bayern.
Update, 8:03 p.m.:
And now we can take a look at the lineups.
Cup keeper Kovar is used at Bayer.
Tapsoba, Frimpong, Hofmann and Schick also move into the starting eleven in place of Stanisic, Tella, Hlozek and Borja Iglesiallo.
At VfB, Hiroki Ito returns to the field, but Hoeneß has to continue relying on Deniz Undav's goal instincts as today's game comes too early for Guirassy.
Update from February 6th, 7:55 p.m.:
Hello and welcome to the live ticker for the “top game” in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup!
It starts in Leverkusen in just over 45 minutes.
Then the Werkself will face VfB Stuttgart.
DFB Cup quarter-finals: Bayer Leverkusen welcomes Stuttgart for the top game
First report from January 28th:
Leverkusen – Who will follow Fortuna Düsseldorf and 1. FC Kaiserslautern into the DFB Cup semi-finals?
After a cup season full of surprises and eliminated top clubs, Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart will meet on Tuesday (8.45 p.m./TV information here), two teams that shine in the Bundesliga and are therefore given the role of favorites.
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Before the cup duel with Leverkusen: Stuttgart's form curve is pointing upwards
Purely on paper, the Swabians naturally take on the role of the underdog, which is also what VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß sees.
The hosts are “probably the favorites”, but the 41-year-old, like every football fan, knows about the cliché of the cup with its own rules.
“In the end, one team will advance, one will be eliminated.
That’s what makes it so attractive,” continued Hoeneß.
In addition to an improving form curve thanks to the convincing victories against Leipzig and Freiburg in the league, the personnel situation is another source of encouragement.
In addition to Hiroki Ito, who returned from the Asian Cup, who could be an ad-hoc option for the starting eleven, a comeback by starting striker Serhou Guirassy is also possible.
Here, however, Hoeneß is exercising strict restraint because after his muscle injury, the 27-year-old was recently plagued by gastrointestinal problems.
“We won't get him into anything if the risk is too great.
We also have a few other games to play afterwards.
It’s about a player’s health.”
Pure excitement in the DFB Cup: Bayern Leverkusen meets VfB Stuttgart © Own editing - left: picture alliance/dpa/Federico Gambarini right: picture alliance/dpa/Harry Langer
Before the league showdown against Bayern: Leverkusen is focusing on the DFB Cup
At Bayer Leverkusen, the desire for their first cup success in 31 years is increasing.
The Werkself don't want to know about stage fright ahead of the Bundesliga showdown against FC Bayern.
After the league win against Darmstadt, Granit Xhaka made it clear: “Honestly: we’re not interested in the big game today,” said the Swiss midfield strategist.
For him, the duel with VfB was “a final game”.
Managing director and club icon Simon Rolfes also adopted a similar tone in front of the party.
The cup is now “the all-important thing” where everything has to be “knocked out”.
Only then would Bayern come.
Déjà vu with “Vizekusen”?
Werkself before the fateful week
This top game may therefore be the start of a historic week in Leverkusen.
Still unbeaten in competitive games this season, victories against Stuttgart and FC Bayern could provide the necessary momentum for the rest of the season.
Possibly also as a unique opportunity for coach Xabi Alonso before moving abroad?
If the dress rehearsals on the way to championship and cup victory go wrong, memories of 2002 will inevitably be awakened and today's stars will be confronted with the trauma of “Vizekusen”.
With our live ticker you won't miss a minute of the game.
Kick-off is at 8:45 p.m.
(
nki
)