Stuttgart secured a historic spot in the German Cup final with a decisive 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday, marking another milestone in their remarkable resurgence under coach Sebastian Hoeness. The win sets up a David-versus-Goliath showdown against third-division underdogs Arminia Bielefeld in Berlin next month.
Inspired by goals from Angelo Stiller, Nick Woltemade, and Jamie Leweling, Stuttgart dominated the semifinal clash at a raucous home stadium. The match drew attention as newly appointed Red Bull global soccer head Jurgen Klopp observed from the stands, but Leipzig’s star power was no match for Stuttgart’s relentless teamwork.
Hoeness, who took charge of Stuttgart in April 2023 during their relegation scrap, has transformed the club into Bundesliga title contenders and now cup finalists. "We rewarded ourselves with goals at the right moment," he told ZDF, cutting short his post-match interview to sprint across the pitch and celebrate with ecstatic fans. His tactical brilliance has made him one of Europe’s most admired coaches.
The five-time German champions now aim to claim their first cup title since 1997, though Bielefeld’s shock elimination of holders Bayer Leverkusen serves as a cautionary tale. As Stuttgart’s players savored the win, chants of "Berlin, Berlin!" echoed through the night – a testament to renewed ambition for this historic club.
