In a hard-fought game, Borussia Dortmund eventually ran out 3-1 winners in this DFB Pokal last eight clash with VfB Stuttgart at the Mercedes Benz Arena. 

It was the perfect start for die Schwarzgelben, who took only five minutes to take the lead through Marco Reus; however they were pegged back only fifteen minutes later as Lukas Rupp's deflected effort round the back of Roman Bürki's goal. Parity was soon restored for Thomas Tuchel's side as Reus repaid Pierre Emerick Aubameyang for the opening goal, and the Gabonese beat former Dortmund 'keeper Mitchell Langerak.

VfB Stuttgart sought to push their opponents during the second period but were never able to really challenge the Swiss goalkeeper, Bürki. Instead it was left to Aubmeyang to ensure the North Rhine Westphalia would make it to the semi finals, as he scored late on to confirm the result. 

The game was somewhat overshadowed by the boycott of the opening twenty minutes by Borussia Dortmund fans over ticket prices, as well as the equally coordinated act of throwing of tennis balls onto the pitch by Dortmund fan groups such as The Unity. Both sides did however pay a dignified tribute to all those who have been affected by the tragic events in Bad Aibling. 

The perfect start

The game couldn't have got off to a better start for Thomas Tuchel's Borussia Dortmund, and equally as worse a start for Kramny's Stuttgart, as die Schwarzgelben took little over five minutes to break the deadlock. 

Despite some early VfB Stuttgart probing, in a typical synonymous counter attack move Marco Reus was left with the simplest of tasks to beat Mitchell Langerak and give his side an early lead, after an inch perfect ball from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. Incidentally, Langerak who had left Signal Iduna Park to join die Roten in the Summer was making his official debut for the Mercedes Benz Arena side; whilst Kevin Großkreutz, the Dortmund fan, was making his first ever appearance against his childhood side. The worst possible start for the former Dortmund duo. 

Zeus gets Dortmund off to the perfect start
Zeus gets Dortmund off to the perfect start

In the build up to this crucial DFB Pokal clash, one of the most controversial talking points was the plans of a twenty minute boycott by the Borussia Dortmund fans after they deemed ticket priceless to be overly excessive. Yet when the time came for the majority of the traveling support to enter the stadium, they were met not with their side in the lead but rather with an equaliser for the inform hosts.

The man at the heart of this good run, Daniel Didavi, had picked up the scraps from a Stuttgart corner and inadvertently his blocked shot fell at the feet of Lukas Rupp. The defensive linchpin, Rupp, had similarly chose a shot was the best course of action but unlike his colleague, Didavi, his effort when deflected didn't rebound out and instead looped over the head of a helpless Roman Bürki. Jubilation for the home support and both Dortmund players, staff and fans alike were left wondering just how they were level after they had dominated the opening exchanges of this DFB Pokal last eight game. 

Die Schwaben's central defensive partnership of Georg Niedermeier and Toni Šunjić were evidently pumped for the game and determined not to concede again, at times through all means necessary, and in doing so they were generally successful. Although they had to thank Marco Reus that they weren't behind again as the German missed an equally as good opportunity as to his prior goal. Niedermeier the prime example, as he tussled and grappled with the ever impervious Aubameyang on every possible occasion. Though he was brandished an early yellow card for his troubles by referee Tobias Stieler.

However for Dortmund it was two soon after, only a mere ten minutes after VfB Stuttgart had restored parity. Aubameyang, who had proved the start in the 2-0 win at FC Augsburg in the previous round, using his blistering pace latched onto an inch perfect Marco Reus pass and rifled passed Langerak with his weaker left foot. An effort that almost encapsulates just why the Gabonese is one of the prime candidates for the Bundesliga's annual top-scorer, or torjägerkanone.

A lot of promise, but no end product

As was to be expected Jürgen Kramny's VfB Stuttgart came out for the second half resolute to once again draw proceedings level and therefore Thomas Tuchel's visitors were unable to slot back into their usual fluid rhythm. In fact, the former Mainz boss took the decision to match die Schwaben's more defensive formation by bringing on Moritz Leitner for the more attacking Reus, in an attempt to stifle the attacking prowess the hosts were showing. Leitner had spent the past two years on loan in Baden-Württemburg. 

Yet despite promising to trouble Mats Hummels & co the Stuttgart attack were unable to bring Roman Bürki into any real saves, much to the credit of Sokratis and Hummels - as well as the entire Dortmund defence - who coped well with the pressure exerted upon them and dealt with anything thrown at them. The duo of the Greek, Sokratis and German, Hummels has proved one fo the real bright spots of Thomas Tuchel's tenure so far in North Rhine Westphalia.

Die Schwarzgelben were even afforded the chances to extend their lead on a number of occasions and put the tie beyond doubt. Aubameyang returning the favour for his goal and feeding Reus, who after ducking and weaving saw his goalbound effort cleared by Toni Šunjić

In a rather comical, and perhaps another part of the staged protest, the travelling contingent threw tennis balls onto the pitch during both the first and second halves. The long wait after the second occurrence nearly saw Mats Hummels double the lead with a glanced header. 

The travelling Dortmund fans make their thoughts known, by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch?!
The travelling Dortmund fans make their thoughts known, by throwing tennis balls onto the pitch?!

With the game heading into its final exchanges it was no surprise to see Kramny's charges frantically searching for a way back into the game. However in the last desperate role of the dice from die Schwaben, they left themselves extremely vulnerable in defense and after winning a fifty-fifty the goal lay at Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's mercy (despite lying a good sixty yards from goal, though the Gabonese's pace is well known).

The Borussia Dortmund striker after advancing almost the whole length of the Stuttgart half chose the sensible option and squared for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who with keeping his Pokal trend of scoring in every round so far dispatched with ease and made sure of the semi final berth for die Schwarzgelben

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Alex Howell
A writer of football related words. A Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga enthusiast and the only English member of FC Ingolstadt 04 and current producer of content for the official site. Thanks for visiting my profile. Find my twitter @Bundesliga_UK