Today, 1. FSV Mainz 05 is set to face VfB Stuttgart in the MEWA Arena, with the match kicking off at 18:00 CET. This quarter-final encounter marks the third meeting in the German Cup history between the two traditional clubs. The previous clashes saw VfB Stuttgart triumph 1-0 in the 1983/84 season, while Mainz made a comeback in the 2017/18 season, winning 3-1 in the round of 16, which was their last venture into the quarter-finals.
The match will be officiated by referee Deniz Aytekin, and fans can follow the action live on Sky or through SPORT1’s live ticker.
VfB Stuttgart’s coach, Sebastian Hoeneß, has decided to rotate most of the squad compared to their recent Bundesliga victory over Mainz, making ten changes. Only Deniz Undav retains his spot in the starting lineup. The player was originally slated to be on the bench, but a last-minute injury to Tiago Tomás prompted a last-minute adjustment.
Mainz, led by coach Bo Henriksen, is eager to break free from their recent cup challenges, having exited in the second round for the past two seasons. Last year’s defeat to FC Bayern Munich, and a loss to Hertha BSC the year before, weigh heavily on the team’s morale. Goalkeeper Robin Zentner, who played in the last cup win against VfB, showcased impressive skills with seven saves in their opening round victory against Dresden.
Despite facing a challenging home streak without a win in their last 18 league matches, Mainz will look to find strength at home, hoping for a positive outcome against a Stuttgart side that has had success in recent cup matches, winning against four of their last five Bundesliga opponents.
The game will not be broadcast on free TV but can be accessed live on Sky. Fans can also keep up with live updates through SPORT1’s dedicated ticker, ensuring they remain connected to all the key moments of this exciting DFB-Pokal clash. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming for a place in the tournament’s later stages.