Munich, Moenchengladbach, Fuerth into cup semis

By John Bagratuni Feb 8, 2012, 21:31 GMT

Berlin - Bayern Munich finally found their form on Wednesday as they stormed 2-0 past VfB Stuttgart and into the German cup semi-finals.

Frank Ribery opened the scoring in the 30th and former Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez was on target seconds after the restart.

Munich were joined in the final four by Borussia Moenchengladbach, 2-0 winners in extra-time at 10-man Hertha Berlin, and second division Greuther Fuerth, who ambushed hosting 10-man Hoffenheim 1-0.

Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund won 4-0 on Tuesday at fourth division Holstein Kiel as none of the home teams managed success in the quarter-finals.

Munich had in indifferent start into 2012 and lost the Bundesliga lead on the weekend to Dortmund, but they were finally sharp on Wednesday although their Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger limped off early with what appeared to be an ankle injury.

The French winger Ribery drew first blood on the half-hour mark off Thomas Mueller's cross.

Mueller then also set up Gomez for the second, 23 seconds into the second half. Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich managed to stop Gomez' first attempt but had no chance when the Germany forward converted on the rebound.

'We wanted to get into the semis. Our transition game was better than in the past games and we have the personnel to play well,' Gomez told ZDF television.

Filip Daems converted a 102nd-minute penalty for Moenchengladbach in Berlin, with Hertha's Roman Hubnik harshly sent off on the occasion for allegedly head-butting Igor de Camargo. Oscar Wendt wrapped up matters in the 120th on the counter.

Moenchengladbach, whose coach Lucien Favre was reunited with his former club on the night, are enjoying a great season, placed fourth in the Bundesliga three points shy of Dortmund after almost being relegated last season.

Hertha coach Michael Skibbe, who has lost all four games since in charge, was outraged by Hubnik's red card, saying on Sky TV that 'no one saw what he (the referee) saw. It is unbelievable.'

Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski is also under pressure after the defeat against Fuerth, with former Hertha helmsman Markus Babbel named a potential candidate.

Canadian forward Olivier Occean grabbed the winner in Hoffenheim from short range after rounding two defenders in the 44th, eight minutes after home team defender Marvin Compper was sent off for hitting Stephan Fuerstner in the face.

Hoffenheim were the second Bundesliga club to lose at home against Fuerth, who rank fourth in the second division and want to get into the top flight after several near misses. Fuerth won 1-0 in Nuremberg in the previous round and are yet to concede a goal in four cup games.