German Cup 2025-2026: Holstein Kiel-Stuttgart, the likely lineups

After Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-0 success over St. Pauli, the second quarterfinal of the German Cup, DFB-Pokal, is staged on Wednesday at 8 p.m.45 the second quarterfinal of the German Cup, the DFB-Pokal: on one side is ambitious Stuttgart, the defending champions and in the middle of the league race for a Champions League spot, and on the other side is proud Holstein Kiel, the only second-tier club still running in the elimination tournament, determined to turn its stadium into a stepping stone to a historic feat.

The home lineup, coached by Marcel Rapp, arrives at the date after eliminating Wolfsburg and Hamburg’Hamburg. The overall momentum is decent, with only one defeat in the last seven matches, but the recent home loss against Greuther Fürth in the league invites caution. Absences in defense further complicate plans: Johansson is still out, while Roslyng and Komenda are coming off physical problems, although the latter could grit his teeth. Forward Bernhardsson will be missing, with Harres called upon to lead the’attack.

On the other side is Sebastian Hoeness&#8217s team, which after a 1-0 success over Freiburg consolidated fourth place in the Bundesliga and won its seventh victory in the last 10 matches. The cup run so far has been clear-cut, with successes over Mainz and Bochum followed by a sensational first-round passage against Braunschweig (penalty shoot-out after 4-4 after 120′). Tiago Tomas and Jovanovic will not be present: it will be El Khannous and Leweling who will support Undav, an indispensable offensive reference. In defense Zagadou is close to returning, but Hoeness should confirm Jeltsch and Chabot in the center of the rearguard.

Probable lineups

Holstein Kiel (3-4-3): Weiner; Ivezic, Zec, Komenda; Rosenboom, Tohumcu, Davidsen, Tolkin; Therkelsen, Skrzybski; Harres. All. Rapp.

Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Bredlow; Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Chabot, Hendriks; Karazor, Stiller; Bouanani, El-Khannouss, Leweling; Undav. All. Hoeness.