Own Goal and Red Card: Stuttgart Gains from Strompf’s Disastrous Day
The VfB Stuttgart advanced in their title defense of the DFB-Pokal, securing a 2-0 victory against VfL Bochum in the round of 16. The match saw an unfortunate performance from Bochum’s player Philipp Strompf, who contributed to Stuttgart’s win in two critical ways: scoring an own goal and receiving a red card.
Stuttgart’s Dominance and Strompf’s Blunder
Throughout the first half, Stuttgart controlled the game with 76% possession. However, they struggled to generate significant offensive pressure. The turning point came in the 12th minute when Strompf headed a long throw-in from Hendriks into his own net, giving Stuttgart an early lead.
- Own Goal: Strompf accidentally scored in the 12th minute.
- Red Card: Strompf received a red card for a last-man tackle on Undav just before halftime.
Bochum’s Missed Opportunities
Despite their defensive efforts, Bochum managed a few promising chances. Key players like Alfa-Ruprecht and Onyeka came close to scoring. In the 20th minute, Alfa-Ruprecht’s lob just missed the target, and in the 32nd minute, Onyeka had a shot following a fast break.
Undav Clinches the Victory
Following Strompf’s red card, Stuttgart capitalized on their numerical advantage early in the second half. Undav scored in the 46th minute, marking his eighth goal in six competitive matches, which effectively diminished Bochum’s chances of a comeback.
- Ton of Goals: Undav’s 8 goals in the last 6 matches.
Second Half Performance
The second half saw Stuttgart maintain possession but opt for a more cautious approach against Bochum’s five-defender setup. While both Stiller and Führich had attempts, neither could extend the lead further. Consequently, the match ended at 2-0, marking Stuttgart’s ninth consecutive DFB-Pokal win.
Upcoming Matches
Both teams will return to action on Saturday. Bochum hosts Bielefeld at 13:00, while Stuttgart faces FC Bayern Munich at 15:30. Stuttgart remains focused on their goal of defending their DFB-Pokal title.
