Hoeness rues missed chances after semi-final loss to Eintracht

By Rune Gjerulff @runegjerulff

Sebastian Hoeness found last night’s DFB-Pokal semi-final defeat at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt difficult to accept, as he felt his Stuttgart side had played a solid game.

VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness was naturally disappointed after his side’s 3-2 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in last night’s DFB-Pokal semi-final.

Stuttgart were 1-0 up at the break, but Hoeness felt they could have been more than a goal ahead had they been more ruthless in front of goal.

Ultimately, Hoeness’ side had to settle for a 3-2 defeat after a dramatic final period in which Borna Sosa was sent off and Eintracht survived a late VAR review for a handball in the penalty area.

“Congratulations to Frankfurt for reaching the final. We are very disappointed with the result because we played a good game. Especially the first 30 minutes were very strong. We went into the break 1-0 up, but we could have led more if we had been more efficient,” said Hoeness.

“We didn’t start well in the second half, so the momentum quickly shifted to Frankfurt. The two goals were a bit of a shock for us. But after that, I saw a team with incredible morale.

“Even when we were a man down, we were able to put a team like Frankfurt under pressure. In the end, it was a difficult decision for the referee and a bitter one for us, which we find hard to accept.”

Stuttgart now have another important game coming up, away to fellow relegation candidates Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

“Starting tomorrow, we will pick ourselves up together and prepare to take the next big step in Berlin this weekend,” Hoeness stressed.