Stuttgart 2-1 Freiburg
A 118th-minute extra-time goal from Tiago Tomás completed the comeback against Freiburg (2-1), setting up a rematch of the DFB-Pokal final in Berlin.
Tiago Tomás celebrates the winning goal that sealed Stuttgart’s comeback against Freiburg.
Freiburg was chasing a second DFB-Pokal final appearance in their history, having lost in 2022 to Leipzig. But after taking a first-half lead, Stuttgart forced extra time and completed the turnaround in the 118th minute to defend their crown in Berlin against a Bayern side chasing a treble.
Coach Hoeness surprised by reverting to a back three, a formation seemingly abandoned since the defeat to Dortmund. Undav returned after missing the Bayern match, but Chema Andrés remained on the bench despite scoring at the Allianz. Schuster, as usual in the Pokal, started Florian Müller in goal. Aside from Günter’s absence on the left side of defense, he fielded his typical starting XI.
Makengo replaced the veteran German full-back and earned an early yellow card for a heavy challenge on Laweling, signaling Freiburg’s aggressive intent. Nartey responded in kind, also booked for a hard tackle on Eggestein.
Julian Schuster’s side seemed to be dictating the tempo. After the first 15 minutes, Nübel made a fine save from Maximilian Eggestein, who had broken into the area following a run timed with Grifo’s pass. Eggestein claimed a penalty after feeling a slight touch from Stiller from behind, but no foul was given.
Stuttgart struggled to find rhythm. Chabot conceded a corner, and in the 28th minute, Eggestein got a decisive touch to deflect Ginter’s header into the net, making it 0-1. With Grifo orchestrating play, Freiburg once again showcased their set-piece prowess – they had already scored a 3-0 goal against Celta in the Europa League quarterfinal first leg, and are the fourth most productive team in the Bundesliga from dead-ball situations (12 goals).
Stuttgart looked shaken until the 39th minute, when Demirovic’s volley flew over the bar. However, that sparked a response before halftime: the Bosnian hit a back-heel effort, Laweling struck the woodwork with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, and Matanovic blocked another volley from Undav in stoppage time.
Stuttgart went into the break just as they seemed to be finding their stride. Immediately after the restart, Fürich failed to convert a cross from Laweling from the right. An even clearer chance came in the 61st minute when Karazor and Stiller both had shots blocked inside the box. Stiller then had a goal ruled out for an offside in the buildup by Demirovic.
Freiburg began to crack, and with plenty of time left, Hoeness brought on the talented El Khannouss to replace Nartey in the attacking midfield role, as Nartey had struggled to impose himself on the game. It was El Khannouss who provided the assist for Undav, who slotted home in the 69th minute to make it 1-1 – a counter-attack that began with Hendriks’ crucial block on Suzuki.
Stuttgart tried to ride the momentum of the equalizer, while Freiburg seemed to be hanging on. A scare came when Lienhart hit his own post while attempting to clear a cross from Undav. Müller then made two excellent saves in stoppage time – first from Fürich and then from Undav – to send the match into extra time, the first in a Pokal semifinal in five years.
Stuttgart looked much fresher in the extra period…