Holders Stuttgart cruise into German Cup quarters

German Cup holders Stuttgart cruised into the quarterfinals on Wednesday with a 2-0 win away to 10-man Bochum.

Bochum defender Philipp Strompf had a horror first half, looping a header into his own net and then getting sent off just before halftime.

Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav put Stuttgart firmly on track for victory with a header early in the second half, lifting his tally to seven goals in his past four games across the league and cup.

DFB-Pokal-Viertelfinale wir kommen!
Wir gewinnen beim VfL Bochum mit 2:0 und fahren den 9. DFB-Pokal-Sieg in Folge ein.
Solider Auftritt, Männer! Let's gooooooooo!#VfB | #VfB1893 | #DFBPokal | #BOCVfB 0:2 (90.) pic.twitter.com/wxLSuhBZ4S — VfB Stuttgart 1893 (@VfB) December 3, 2025

Stuttgart will be joined in the next round by Freiburg, who won 2-0 at home against second-division Darmstadt.

Italy midfielder Vincenzo Grifo put Freiburg in front from the spot late in the first half and set Lucas Hoeler up for a clever dinked finish in the second period.

Grifo had another chance from the penalty spot late on but smacked his effort over the crossbar.