The German Cup has thrown up a mouthwatering fixture between two old rivals: Stuttgart and Bayern.
The name of one semifinalist has already emerged. Borussia Dortmund booked their passage with a 0-4 win over amateur side Holstein Kiel. Bayern will look to emulate them as they travel to Stuttgart. In the previous round of the cup, both sides recorded narrow victories to progress: Stuttgart took out HSV 2-1 and Bayern took out Bochum 1-2.
Both sides recorded almost identical results this weekend in the Bundesliga. Stuttgart drew 2-2 against Bayer Leverkusen while Bayern drew 1-1 against HSV. Bayern has not been on form since the restart of the Bundesliga. They succumbed too easily to Gladbach on Match-day 18 and were very unconvincing against Wolfsburg the following week despite recording a 2-0 victory.
These sides always provide plenty of entertainment- last season they met thrice. On all three occasions, Bayern won. This season, Bayern again won 1-2. Bayern went behind early in the match but found the equalizer soon. They were aided by the fact that Stuttgart lost a man in the first half to a red card. In the second half, Mario Gomez scored the winner.
Stuttgart is never easy to beat. Bayern has been meeting Stuttgart in the cup too often these days. In 2009, they recorded a resounding 5-1 victory over the Swabians. In 2010, Bayern won 6-3 in what was a highly exciting match. Stuttgart also lost a man in that match albeit the sending off came in the second half.
Mario Gomez has played Stuttgart more times than he would have liked to since moving to Bayern. He also scores against them frequently. He scored both of Bayern’s goals in this season’s encounter. This match will be a big test for Jupp Heynckes- he can expect each of his moves to be seriously scrutinized by the German media if his team does not produce a good performance.
Meanwhile, in other clashes, Hertha Berlin plays Mönchengladbach. Mönchengladbach is one of three teams challenging for the domestic double along with Bayern and Dortmund. Hoffenheim plays the only remaining team belonging to a lower division, Greuther Fürth for the other semifinal berth.
So, who do you think will win: Bayern or Stuttgart?
Prediction: Stuttgart 2-1 Bayern (after extra time)
Both sides recorded almost identical results this weekend in the Bundesliga. Stuttgart drew 2-2 against Bayer Leverkusen while Bayern drew 1-1 against HSV. Bayern has not been on form since the restart of the Bundesliga. They succumbed too easily to Gladbach on Match-day 18 and were very unconvincing against Wolfsburg the following week despite recording a 2-0 victory.
These sides always provide plenty of entertainment- last season they met thrice. On all three occasions, Bayern won. This season, Bayern again won 1-2. Bayern went behind early in the match but found the equalizer soon. They were aided by the fact that Stuttgart lost a man in the first half to a red card. In the second half, Mario Gomez scored the winner.
Stuttgart is never easy to beat. Bayern has been meeting Stuttgart in the cup too often these days. In 2009, they recorded a resounding 5-1 victory over the Swabians. In 2010, Bayern won 6-3 in what was a highly exciting match. Stuttgart also lost a man in that match albeit the sending off came in the second half.
Mario Gomez has played Stuttgart more times than he would have liked to since moving to Bayern. He also scores against them frequently. He scored both of Bayern’s goals in this season’s encounter. This match will be a big test for Jupp Heynckes- he can expect each of his moves to be seriously scrutinized by the German media if his team does not produce a good performance.
Meanwhile, in other clashes, Hertha Berlin plays Mönchengladbach. Mönchengladbach is one of three teams challenging for the domestic double along with Bayern and Dortmund. Hoffenheim plays the only remaining team belonging to a lower division, Greuther Fürth for the other semifinal berth.
So, who do you think will win: Bayern or Stuttgart?
Prediction: Stuttgart 2-1 Bayern (after extra time)
