KIEL, GERMANY — VfB Stuttgart booked their place in the German Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless 3-0 dismantling of Holstein Kiel, as Deniz Undav and Chris Führich struck in the closing stages to break the hosts' stubborn resistance at Holstein-Stadion. The Bundesliga visitors controlled proceedings for long stretches but needed patience before their quality told in a devastating final half-hour.
For 56 minutes, Kiel's defensive organization frustrated Stuttgart's attacking ambitions. The hosts, buoyed by recent positive results against their opponents, packed bodies behind the ball and forced the visitors to probe for openings. Timon Weiner in the Kiel goal made a crucial save to deny Jamie Leweling in the 52nd minute, palming away a dangerous effort from outside the box after Undav's clever through ball had carved open the defense.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 56th minute following a set piece situation. Bilal El Khannouss delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area, and after Atakan Karazor's header was blocked at point-blank range, Undav reacted quickest to stab home from very close range into the top right corner. The German international's predatory instincts proved decisive, and Stuttgart could finally breathe easier after their sustained pressure yielded reward.
Kiel refused to surrender meekly despite falling behind. Phil Harres forced Alexander Nübel into action in the 80th minute, the Stuttgart goalkeeper pushing away a dangerous right-footed effort from outside the box. Moments later, Aldin Jakupovic tested Nübel again with a left-footed strike that the keeper saved comfortably in the bottom right corner. The hosts' attacking ambition left spaces in behind, and Stuttgart ruthlessly exploited them.
The killer blow arrived in the 89th minute when Führich finished a lightning-fast counter-attack. Undav, dropping deep to collect possession, threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of the onrushing winger. Führich made no mistake, firing his left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box into the centre of the goal. The finish was clinical, the execution ruthless.
Stuttgart weren't finished. Deep into stoppage time, with Kiel committed forward in search of consolation, Führich turned provider. His clever pass found Karazor charging through the centre, and the midfielder drilled a left-footed effort from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. At 3-0, the scoreline finally reflected Stuttgart's superiority.
VfB Stuttgart dominated the ball with 59.7% possession, pinning Holstein Kiel back for long stretches and forcing the hosts into defensive mode. The visitors created 16 shots to Kiel's 11, though both sides managed just five and three efforts on target respectively. Stuttgart's greater efficiency in the final third proved decisive, with three of their five shots on target finding the net. The visitors committed 14 fouls to Kiel's 10 in a physical encounter, with Angelo Stiller collecting the game's only yellow card.
The tactical battle centered on Stuttgart's ability to break down Kiel's compact defensive shape. Maximilian Mittelstädt and Josha Vagnoman provided width from the full-back positions, stretching the play and creating space for Undav and Leweling to operate centrally. Angelo Stiller orchestrated proceedings from midfield, his passing range and vision unlocking opportunities throughout. Kiel's Jonas Meffert and Umut Tohumcu worked tirelessly to disrupt Stuttgart's rhythm, but the quality gap eventually told.
Ramon Hendriks and Atakan Karazor formed a solid defensive partnership for Stuttgart, limiting Kiel's attacking threat. The hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Harres isolated up front for long periods. When Kiel did fashion openings, Nübel stood firm, making three saves to preserve his clean sheet. At the other end, Weiner made two saves but couldn't prevent Stuttgart's late onslaught from overwhelming his defense.
The turning point came with Undav's opener, which finally broke Kiel's resistance and forced the hosts to push forward. That tactical shift played directly into Stuttgart's hands, with their pace on the counter-attack proving lethal. Führich's introduction of fresh legs in the final stages exploited tired Kiel defenders, and the winger's double effectively ended the contest.
Stuttgart's victory extends their impressive form in cup competitions and sets up an intriguing quarter-final clash. The Bundesliga side demonstrated the clinical edge required in knockout football, converting their chances when it mattered most. For Kiel, the defeat ends their cup run but allows them to refocus on their league campaign and the battle for survival.
The win positions Stuttgart well ahead of their trip to St. Pauli on February 7, with confidence high after this professional performance.