The second consecutive midweek match is upon us, and it’s time for a friendly showdown against last year’s cup finalist, 1.FC Kaiserslautern. VfB enters the cup match with fresh confidence but also a few injury concerns.
Following the fantastic Champions League night in Turin and the essential victory over Kiel, this is the third competition in seven days for VfB. And things won’t slow down even after this game, as German champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen await us on Friday evening, followed by a home match against Atalanta BC. The physical demands are already showing their first signs, and VfB Stuttgart must prove that the squad is well-equipped in terms of depth. The game against Lautern could therefore be the first real stress test.
Lautern was my preferred draw. While they’re a second-division team, it’s nothing like the match against Arminia Bielefeld two years ago, which had such low demand that the Untertürkheimer stand wasn’t even opened, and the game required minimal effort. I think Lautern will definitely be more competitive. They proved last year that they take the cup seriously. Although they had relatively favorable draws on their way to the final, their victories over teams like Nürnberg, Hertha, and Köln were by no means guaranteed, especially considering they were at risk of relegation until the 32nd game day last season. I don’t want to overestimate them—they’re not Leverkusen or Munich—but the Red Devils could still pose serious challenges.
It could be an exciting game not only on the field. Off the field, the fans of both clubs share a close friendship. It’s nice to see that this bond is still alive, even when the clubs aren’t in the same league. Love knows no league. This friendship is also why I could handle a potential elimination more easily. If we have to go out, then at least it’s to a likeable traditional club, and not to Leverkusen, Leipzig, etc. But if we’re fortunate enough to advance, I would wish for KSC as our next opponent. After all, we still have unfinished business with them.
Personnel Situation
Yellow-red card recipient Chabot will also be absent against Kaiserslautern. The newcomer has to take a break due to a minor muscle injury. Yannik Keitel will also miss the game due to adductor issues, which is especially unfortunate since I would have given him some playing time against Kaiserslautern. Deniz Undav was unable to train yesterday due to injury, but according to Hoeneß, he could play against Kaiserslautern.
Possible Starting Eleven
Bredlow will start in goal instead of Nübel. I think Hoeneß will rotate a bit and give Führich and Krätzig some more playing time. I could also imagine Hendriks making it into the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Undav will be rested due to his foot issue.
Statistics
This will be the 98th meeting between these two historic clubs. The first duel dates back to June 4, 1950 (a 5–2 win for VfB). The last meeting was a while ago, with the teams last facing each other in the second round of the DFB Cup in 2017, where VfB won 3–1 at the Betze. Lautern’s last cup victory over VfB Stuttgart was in 1993. Overall, VfB has won 46 times, with 18 draws, while the Red Devils have claimed victory 33 times. In the cup, this will be the ninth meeting between the two clubs. Only Bayern has faced VfB more often in the cup. Out of the eight previous cup matches against Lautern, VfB has won five. Only Hamburg and Wolfsburg have as many cup defeats against VfB, and there is no opponent against whom VfB has won more frequently in the cup.
Conclusion
If Lautern is up for it, it will be a tough game for VfB. Chabot’s absence doesn’t make things any easier. But what’s there to lose? If we have to go out, it might as well be to our friends from Lautern. But I think we’ll see a straightforward 2–0 victory for VfB, and then it’s off to Karlsruhe!
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