VfB Stuttgart vs. Arminia Bielefeld preview: Surprise packages clash for Pokal glory | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side struggled in the league since the turn of the year, but they did turn the tide in the season's final month. The Swabians ended the Bundesliga campaign with three successive wins, including away at relegation-battling St. Pauli and European-chasers RB Leipzig.

Stuttgart also knocked out the Red Bull-backed club from the DFB Pokal when a stunning performance at the MHPArena saw them make the final for the first time in 12 years. We need to go further back to 1996/97 for their last cup triumph.

After last season’s unpredictable runners-up finish, Hoeneß reached another milestone at a club that had been in a relegation fight until the last matchday in the previous two campaigns. Winning the club’s first major trophy in 18 years will also mean qualification for next season’s Europa League.

Team News

The big worry for Stuttgart is the fitness level of Angelo Stiller. The midfielder – who is on the radar of top clubs, including Real Madrid – hopes to recover in time from a ligament injury caused by Samuel Essende’s harsh challenge in Stuttgart’s last home game of the season.

Besides long-time absentees, Leonidas Stergiou is another player who could miss the biggest game of Stuttgart’s season. Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade and Ermedin Demirovic all scored in the last Bundesliga game as Hoeneß faces a tough decision to make in his team selection.

Arminia Bielefeld

For the first time in the history of the club, Arminia Bielefeld reached Pokal final after beating four Bundesliga teams at SchücoArena. Against all odds, Mitch Kniat’s side eliminated defending champions Bayer Leverkusen in a feisty semi-final tie.

Furthermore, Bielefeld won promotion to the 2. Bundesliga after a slow start in their league campaign. When they sensationally beat Xabi Alonso’s men, Bielefeld were outside the top three in 3. Liga. However, after winning seven of the last eight matches in an unbeaten run, they finished the season top of the division.

In the second month of the season, Bielefeld lost to Stuttgart II in front of fewer than 2000 fans at WIRmachenDRUCK Arena. Back then, it was unthinkable to end the season at the mighty Olympiastadion against the first team of Stuttgart.

Team News

Former Schalke midfielder Nassim Boujellab couldn’t play a part in their sensational cup run, and he’s still out with an inner ligament injury.

Noah Sarenren Bazee, who is another ex-Bundesliga player, scored Bielefeld’s winner over SV Waldhof Mannheim on Saturday before leaving the pitch after a knock early in the second half. However, the former Hannover and Augsburg winger is expected to be fit for the big showdown.