Reserve keeper Florian Müller shone as Freiburg beat second-tier Hertha Berlin on sudden death penalties following a 1-1 draw on Tuesday to reach the German Cup semi-finals.
Hertha’s Michaël Cuisance and Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi both had spot-kicks saved in the shoot-out in Berlin before it went to sudden death, where Pascal Klemens was the fall guy in a 5-4 penalties loss.
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Japan’s Yuito Suzuki, who scored what proved to be the winning penalty, earlier took full advantage of a defensive mix-up to give the visitors the lead in extra-time after a frenetic but goalless normal time.
But Fabian Reese smashed in a superb equalizer for Hertha – following a mistake by Suzuki – having had a goal ruled out early on in the 90 minutes.
It meant penalties were needed and Freiburg Cup keeper Müller easily blocked the crucial kick from Klemens. Noah Atubolu is Freiburg’s Bundesliga keeper.
Müller, after a muted celebration, told Sky: “I’m not the guy who gets overexcited. But I am very happy for the team. We conceded and that wasn’t easy for us, then we took the penalties very well and it was my job to save them.”
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The side from the Black Forest were runners-up in 2022 will look to go one better this season and win their first major trophy.
Hertha, sixth in the second division and still with a chance of promotion, almost broke the deadlock early in extra-time when Cuisance’s fizzing shot was expertly tipped round the post by Müller.
Moments later, Suzuki kept his cool to round Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst and slot home after latching on to Linus Gechter’s square backpass.
But Reese had other ideas and thrashed home to the loud delight of the Olympic stadium, but ultimately it was not to be for the hosts.
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Hertha’s first team have never reached a German Cup final in their home stadium. They were in the final in 1977 and 1979 but the big match has only been played at the Berlin Olympic Stadium since 1985.
Hertha’s reserve side actually reached the final there in 1993 and lost against Bayer Leverkusen.
Record winners Bayern Munich host RB Leipzig in the last quarter-final on Wednesday.
Last week, holders VfB Stuttgart and Leverkusen reached the semi-finals.
The draw is on February 22, with the semis on April 21 and 22. The final in Berlin takes place on May 23.
Hertha’s Fabian Reese celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the German DFB Cup quarter-final soccer match between Hertha BSC and SC Freiburg at Olympiastadion. Andreas Gora/dpa
Freiburg’s Maximilian Eggestein celebrates his side’s first goal scored by Yuito Suzuki during the German DFB Cup quarter-final soccer match between Hertha BSC and SC Freiburg at Olympiastadion. Andreas Gora/dpa
Freiburg’s Max Rosenfelder and Hertha’s Michael Cuisance battle for the ball during the German DFB Cup quarter-final soccer match between Hertha BSC and SC Freiburg at Olympiastadion. Andreas Gora/dpa