Tijjani Reijnders is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Milan's terrible starts to games, stating that 'every game is the same,' while Luka Jovic believes 'the coach will see' his contribution against Fiorentina. It was a fantastic match at San Siro, with the Rossoneri coming back from 2-0 down to tie 2-2, but the Viola also had two magnificent goals disallowed, the Luca Ranieri curler for an early foul and the late Dodo volley for offside. Both goalkeepers produced multiple saves in an intriguing contest, although each point contributes nothing to each team's chances of qualifying for Europe. "We started again by giving up two goals, and every game is the same. "We try to come back, but it's difficult if we start like this," Reijnders told Sky Sport Italia. "It's difficult, but we need to keep battling for this club and win as many games as possible in Serie A and the Coppa Italia. "The most essential thing is that we...
Ermedin Demirovic grabbed a ball from Nick Woltemade inside the six-yard box as Stuttgart continued to advance in the early going, but Maarten Vandevoort made a crucial save to preserve his team ahead.
As RB Leipzig gained momentum, Lois Openda broke into the left side of the box in the fifteenth minute, giving them their first serious chance. Alexander Nübel, who was becoming a key player between the posts, stopped his hard effort with a strong right-hand save. A minute later, Openda was in once more, but Xavi Simons played him through this time. Nübel's outstretched leg expertly stopped his left-footed attempt, preserving Stuttgart's slim advantage.
Stuttgart tried to restore their early lead, but Leipzig took control in the last fifteen minutes of the half. With a deflected volley from the edge of the area, Xavi put Nübel to the test again, but the Stuttgart goalkeeper was quick to recover and grab the ball in front of the fervent Cannstatter Kurve.
Openda's accurate side-footed attempt, which resulted in yet another fantastic stop from the in-form keeper, was Nübel's largest intervention of the half. Leipzig was constantly tormented by Nübel's heroics, even though they dominated possession and played slickly offensively. Conversely, Stuttgart was having a harder time keeping up with Openda's movement and menace in front of goal.
Leipzig's increasing influence indicated an exciting second half was ahead, despite Die Schwaben's advantage.
Nick Woltemade nearly doubled Stuttgart's lead ten minutes into the second half when he rose high in the area and headed a strong header toward goal, but Vandevoort made a quick reflex stop to keep it out. Controversy erupted shortly after Stuttgart's resolve to regain control. Loud cries for a penalty broke out as Maximilian Mittelstädt was taken down in the box after being challenged by Ridle Baku. But following a heated VAR review, the conclusion was that there was not enough contact to justify a spot-kick.
The irritation didn't last long. Woltemade was in space inside the box again a few moments later. He tucked home from the right side of the area with icy coolness, giving VfB Stuttgart a vital two-goal lead and throwing the Cannstatter Kurve into a flurry of noise. As the hosts had a firm hold on the match, the stadium erupted.
But five minutes later, when the next goal was vital, Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko scored a goal in the 61st minute after his team took advantage of a shoddy clearance by Atakan Karazor.
In the 73rd minute, as the tension inside Neckarstadion increased, the home team added a third goal to extend their lead by two goals. Jamie Leweling nudged the ball over the line after Woltemade's header from a Mittelstädt corner was blocked.
A minute later, Woltemade ran through on goal and hit the crossbar with a beautiful dink, nearly giving the home team a spectacular fourth goal.
Naturally, there was still a lot of suspense in the last period as Leipzig kept probing and pushing for a way to get back into the match. Nevertheless, Die Schwaben remained steadfast as their well-known "1893" chant echoed around the stadium.
As the clock approached 90 minutes, Leipzig's Sesko scored a goal with a creative overhead kick that found the bar.
As the decibels rose with the sound of Swabian voices recognizing Berlin, Stuttgart searched for whatever out-ball they could as five minutes of extra time was declared.
And it really really was. As VfB Stuttgart crossed all the boxes and secured their spot in the 2025 DFB-Pokal final, the final whistle sparked a jubilant moment of relief and excitement.
Naturally, there was still a lot of suspense in the last period as Leipzig kept probing and pushing for a way to get back into the match. Nevertheless, Die Schwaben remained steadfast as their well-known "1893" chant echoed around the stadium.
As the clock approached 90 minutes, Leipzig's Sesko scored a goal with a creative overhead kick that found the bar.
As the decibels rose with the sound of Swabian voices recognizing Berlin, Stuttgart searched for whatever out-ball they could as five minutes of extra time was declared.
And it really really was. As VfB Stuttgart crossed all the boxes and secured their spot in the 2025 DFB-Pokal final, the final whistle sparked a jubilant moment of relief and excitement.
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