Stuttgart swat Regensburg aside to reach Pokal last eight

With only one win in their last six games, VfB Stuttgart were hopeful of a turn in fortunes against DFB Pokal opponents Jahn Regensburg tonight. The 2.Bundesliga side put up a fight but ultimately succumbed to a 3-0 defeat.

Sebastian Hoeneß’ men made light work of their Round of 16 Pokal opponents Jahn Regensburg this evening as goals from Enzo Millot, Anrie Chase, and Nick Woltemade punched the Swabians’ tickets to the last eight of Germany’s premier cup competition. The victory will come as a welcome relief for the 42-year-old head coach who has found wins difficult to come by during the course of November. It must be said, injuries have not been kind to last season’s Bundesliga runners-up. 

Tonight however, Stuttgart displayed their intent as early as the 7th-minute as Führich picked out Stenzel whose header was parried by Gerhardt. The host’s futile resistance lasted mere minutes longer as Enzo Millot weaved inside Bittroff and Breunig to pick out the lower right corner from the edge of the box. Anrie Chase made it 2-0 after a delightful Stenzel set-piece found the Japanese centre-half unmarked at the back post. 

There proved to be no let up from the visitors after the interval as the Swabian club continued to where they left off. Chris Führich went close to wrapping one inside the post before he was withdrawn for Justin Diehl and Demirović replaced Millot. The 20-year-old youngster who arrived from FC Köln in summer played a crucial role in the third goal after the hour – his pass bisected the Regensburg defence as Woltemade rounded Gerhardt to slot into an empty net.

It would be scant consolation in the end, but the post came to spare Regensburg as Ermedin Demirović looked to add a fourth. Striking across his body from a difficult angle, the Bosnian forward watched his effort bobble off the aluminium and way to safety. Nonetheless, Stuttgart were more than home and hosed at this stage as Hoeneß’ team saw out the final few acts to advance to the quarter-final stage.