Eintracht Braunschweig welcome defending DFB-Pokal champions VfB Stuttgart in a high-stakes cup tie on Tuesday evening. Kick-off is at 20:45 local time at the Eintracht-Stadion, with fans able to follow on free-to-air and pay TV, as well as live updates via a dedicated ticker.
Team news and lineup notes
– Braunschweig: Hoffmann; Frenkert, Ehlers, L. Breunig; Heußer, Köhler, Marie; Aydin, Gomez, Di Michele Sanchez; Yardimci.
– Stuttgart: Nübel; Assignon, Jeltsch, Hendriks, Mittelstädt; Karazor, Stiller; Tomas, Undav, Führich; Demirovic.
– Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade is left out of the start eleven as part of an early burden-management plan after a U21 European Championship run to the final. He sits on the bench, with the coach explaining that the squad must shoulder a busy week ahead.
– Tiago Tomas returns to the starting lineup after a substitute appearance against Union Berlin. Stuttgart also welcomes Lorenz Assignon to make his first start for the club, following his summer move from Rennes and a brief appearance in the Supercup.
– On the Braunschweig side, Lino Tempelmann is missing with a bone contusion and ligament injury in the ankle, ruling him out for several weeks. This comes just three days after a 0-2 loss at Karlsruher SC and a late red card for Louis Breunig.
Context and history
– This pairing has a rich cup history, with Stuttgart winning the three prior DFB-Pokal duels in the 1979/80, 1985/86, and 2015/16 ties.
– Across competitions, Stuttgart have also been strong against Braunschweig, remaining unbeaten in the last six meetings (four wins, two draws). The most recent clash was in the 2016/17 second division season, when Stuttgart won at home and Braunschweig drew away.
– In terms of cup form, Stuttgart arrive boasting a strong first-round record, having progressed in 23 of the last 25 editions, and they are unbeaten in nine successive cup ties against second-tier opponents.
Current form and key players
– Braunschweig began the season well in the league under Heiner Backhaus, winning the first two second-division games before the setback at Karlsruhe. Polter has been a notable source of goals for Braunschweig this season, scoring all three league goals so far from the bench.
– Stuttgart’s cup star power lies with Nick Woltemade and Angelo Stiller from last season’s trophy run; Woltemade contributed five cup goals and Stiller supplied two goals and three assists as Stuttgart sealed a 4-2 final triumph over Arminia Bielefeld. The team also brings in attacking threat from Undav and Führich, with Demirovic up front.
What to watch
– A tactical clash in a high-stakes knockout environment: Braunschweig will rely on home advantage and counter-attacking opportunities, while Stuttgart will look to leverage their cup pedigree and the creative spark of Stiller and the finishing ability of Woltemade from the bench or subsequent inclusion.
– The health of the midfield core for Braunschweig is crucial; Tempelmann’s absence creates a gap in structure and ball progression that Stuttgart will try to exploit.
– Watch how Lorenz Assignon settles into the Stuttgart back line and whether Tiago Tomas can influence the game from the start after his late-season form.
Broadcast and live coverage
– TV and streams: The match will be shown on free TV in ARD and also available on Sky. Streaming options include Sky and ARD Mediathek.
– Live updates: A dedicated live ticker will be available to follow every moment of the match.
Summary and outlook
This DFB-Pokal tie pits a resilient Braunschweig side against a Stuttgart squad with a proven cup-winning mentality. Braunschweig will hope to capitalize on home support and an underdog surge, while Stuttgart aim to extend their strong cup tradition and continue their pursuit of another deep run. The absence of Tempelmann is a setback for Braunschweig, but the late tactical reshuffles and the inclusion of Assignon and Tomas could give Stuttgart the edge in this clash of history and ambition.
If you’re following along, expected highlights include Stuttgart’s dynamic wings and set-piece opportunities against Braunschweig’s disciplined defense and quick counter-attacks. Fans are geared up for a memorable cup battle that could set the tone for both sides’ campaigns.