Professionals, 20. May 2025
As we continue our countdown to the DFB Cup final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion at 20:00 CEST on Saturday, we’ve been chatting with Pascal Stenzel about his excitement ahead of VfB Stuttgart’s seventh cup final appearance and opponents Arminia Bielefeld.
Hello Pascal, it’s DFB Cup final week – just a few more days until the showpiece against Arminia Bielefeld gets under way. How excited are you?
Pascal: “The excitement is huge, and not just for me – every player in our squad is looking forward to Saturday. The excitement is even greater now we’ve reached the week of the final. For me, it’s very special to be able to play for silverware for VfB. Looking back on our development over the past few years, it feels really good.”
In what sense?
Pascal: “Under head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, we’ve embarked on a journey which is doing us a lot of good, and which has sparked a great deal of enthusiasm in the region. The overall development is positive – we want to continue that and not experience another rollercoaster ride. To even have the opportunity to play for silverware this season is fantastic.”
You’ve been at VfB since 2019, making you one of the longest-serving players in the squad. How much significance does the DFB Cup final hold for you personally?
Pascal: “It’s the biggest game of my career so far. As a professional footballer, you can’t plan on whether you’ll actually get the opportunity to win a trophy at any stage. It hinges on so many factors. That opportunity is now within reach and it’s brilliant to have that dream in your own hands. [Winning the cup] would obviously make my time at VfB even more special.”
Pascal Stenzel:
The excitement is huge, and not just for me – every player in our squad is looking forward to Saturday.
Arminia Bielefeld won the third division title and will be playing in the second tier in 2025/26. How does that affect your preparations for the match?
Pascal: “Our preparations will be as meticulous as they were before a Bundesliga or Champions League match. We’ll train with focus and concentration and conduct ourselves in a professional manner. I think we’ve done that very well up to now.”
Despite beating four Bundesliga sides on their way to the final, Bielefeld are still the underdogs because of their league status. Will you require any additional motivation against them?
Pascal: “No. Irrespective of Arminia Bielefeld, being in the final gives us enough of an extra push. After all their remarkable performances, we’re taking our opponents very seriously. We have to be at the top of our game right from the start. Arminia are in outstanding form and are very fluent in their patterns of play on the pitch. We’ll prepare as well as possible and also have to be mentally prepared to rise to the challenge in all periods of the game.”
