VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav says he is determined to “become a big-game player” in Saturday’s DFB Cup final when his side takes on third-division champions Arminia Bielefeld in the Berlin showpiece.

sat down with the 28-year-old Germany international for an exclusive chat in the build-up to the game.

The Bundesliga is over and most players from other clubs are already off on vacation somewhere. Is it safe to assume you’re happy to still be in action?

UNDAV: “Yes, of course. I think everyone would love to be in the cup final. We have the privilege of being in it. It’s the last game of the season for us, and we want to go into the break with a good feeling.”

Let’s talk about the 2024/25 season. Stuttgart went into it as runners-up from the previous campaign and participating in the UEFA Champions League. What happened for you to end up in ninth?

UNDAV: “After the winter break, we won the first four games, if I’m not mistaken. Then we somehow fell into a slump that I can’t really explain. We didn’t convert our chances, or every mistake we made was punished. And when you’re stuck in a negative run like that, it’s tough to get out.

“But I think we can sweeten the season with this cup final. We’re aware of the challenges we faced this season. Now we’re trying to turn everything into a positive. We want to go into the next season with a better feeling, push harder, and hopefully avoid the same mistakes we made in the past two or three months. Then, instead of getting zero points from games, maybe we’ll pick up one or three.

“I have a positive mindset about the future because I know it can really only get better from here. I’m convinced that next year, with the squad we have, it can definitely get better. We had a lot of new signings who, unfortunately, only found their footing relatively late or needed time to adjust to our playing system. They weren’t familiar with it. That’s why I think next season can be even better. Of course, if we win the cup, we’ll go into next season with a fantastic feeling.”

Can a season like this one you had, with some rough patches, count as a positive one overall if you win the DFB Cup final?

Undav: “Yes. Our aim as a team was to finish in the top half of the table. Of course, we didn’t aim for ninth, but it’s still a positive. We wanted to qualify for Europe through our league position. We didn’t manage that, but we still have a chance through the cup.

“In the end, it doesn’t matter how you qualify, as long as you make it. If we win the cup and qualify for the Europa League, you can only be positive. Last year we were in the Champions League, and now we’re potentially in the Europa League. To play in European competitions two years in a row is a big deal. I think it can be seen very positively because if VfB qualify for Europe again, it’s a huge step.”

You’ve had a crazy career, very different from most footballers. You were once a second-division player in Belgium, but now the DFB Cup is within reach…

Undav: “This would be the biggest game of my career. Before this, it was the Champions League match away at Real Madrid. But now I have the chance to win a title. After finishing as runners-up last season and getting the best points tally in club history, to win the DFB Cup as well in just two years at Stuttgart would be unbelievable for me. I’d do everything for that, and the team would too.

“I’m trying to approach this game just like the last few, by staying relaxed, giving it everything, and hopefully it works out. If it doesn’t, I’ll be sad. I won’t prepare in a different way or put more pressure on myself. I’m totally relaxed. I’ve always been very relaxed, and I just try to perform on the pitch.”

The cup final looks very one-sided on paper, with a Bundesliga team taking on a third-division team. What do you make of Bielefeld?

UNDAV: “It’s enough that they knocked out Leverkusen playing the way that they did. You have to respect a team in the third division that wasn’t fazed or intimidated on the pitch. They implemented their playing style and even forced Leverkusen to adapt. And before that, they eliminated three other Bundesliga clubs.

“That’s why, even if we’re the favourites on paper, for me this is a 50-50 game. We have to play to our limit and give everything to win the game. Bielefeld will be super motivated and want to win just as much. You don’t reach the final just through luck. You can maybe be lucky once or twice, but not four times. That’s why I say it’s 50-50.

“As a team, we definitely won’t underestimate them. We know how good they are. I’d say that if they had played in the second division this season with this team, they would’ve finished in the upper mid-table for sure. They know their movement patterns really well and work really hard both with and without the ball. We won’t underestimate them, even if others might. We have to take their belief away from the start.”

Some might say that Bielefeld will be deprived of their biggest strength, namely playing at their home ground. What do you think?

UNDAV: “Sure, it might make a difference. But this is a one-off game, so that’s a huge motivation and there are no excuses.

The stadium won’t decide the match. Bielefeld will give it their all, just like they did in their away games in the third division. Maybe they had a small advantage at home, but clubs that Bielefeld knocked out, like Leverkusen, Werder and Union, have all played in louder stadiums and still won. So, it’s no excuse. You have to try to impose your game. That’s the best way to increase your chances. I don’t see it as them having lost their biggest strength because they won’t play in their home stadium.”

It’s set to be a real nail-biter and for many players on both sides, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Are you the type for finals?

UNDAV: “I don’t think I’ve ever played in a final before. I’m trying to remember – no, I haven’t. I find these big, decisive matches really exciting. You know that every mistake could be punished and could cost you the win. You have to be sharp, at 100 percent, and anticipate situations. I always say that great players are made in great games. I hope I can become one of those big players in this big game.”

Finally, can you give three reasons why VfB will win the cup on Saturday?

Undav: “Because we want to win the cup. Because we won’t give anything away. Because we have Nick Woltemade and Ermedin Demirović up front. Those two are enough – Nick and Medo. I’m counting on them.”