Semi-finals here we come!

Chances at a premium

New VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß sent his side out in a 3-5-2 formation in the DFB Cup quarter-final in Nuremberg. The first glimpse of a chance fell to Genki Haraguchi in the fourth minute, but he could only fire over the bar in what was otherwise an evenly balanced opening period. VfB increased the pressure on the second-tier side after the 20-minute mark, but a lack of precision in the final third meant they never seriously threatened the home team, who got forward on the counter at every opportunity.

Supersub to the rescue

Waldemar Anton had the best chance of the game in the 51^st minute with a thundering shot that Nürnberg goalkeeper Peter Vindhal did well to parry clear. The hosts grew into the game after that and had the upper hand in the majority of tackles, but it was VfB who went closest again, only for Luca Pfeiffer to shoot over in the 63^rd minute. Hoeneß’ charges improved after that and although Serhou Guirassy was denied by Vindhal in the 72^nd minute, VfB continued to probe and were rewarded in the closing stages when Enzo Millot finished off a swift counter to send his team into the semi-finals (83’).

The goal:

83rd minute (0-1): VfB break forward with Hiroki Ito, who finds Millot on the right. The French youngster keeps his composure and slots the ball home!

Reaction:

VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß: “We were under a bit of pressure today, which makes this win all the more valuable. The manner of our performance in the second half was good. We stayed calm, didn’t lose our heads and managed to continually increase the pressure on them. In light of all that, it was a deserved victory.”

Waldemar Anton: “We had some good moments in the game. In the second half especially we were able to create chances from open play and from set-pieces, and we deserved to win in the end. Credit to the fans too, they supported us brilliantly this evening.”