The Red Bull Arena played host to an in-form Wolfsburg side, who were keen to avoid a repeat of the 3-2 loss from 2011/12. Daniel Caligiuri's early opener looked like there would be no repeat of that result, despite a promosing first-half for the home side. The second period followed a similar pattern and a header from Timm Klose ensured the three points for the visitors.
Leipzig had parted ways with Alex Zorniger and placed Achim Beierlorzer in charge until the end of the season, who picked up his first win in charge at the weekend. The Red Bulls managed to edge past Union Berlin 3-2, with all the goal coming in the first half. They made two changes from that game, as Georg Tiegl and Ante Rebic were replaced by Rodnei and Yussuf Poulsen.
Dieter Hecking's side continued their pursuit of Bayern Munich on Sunday, coming back three times to defeat Werder Bremen 3-5 in an enthralling encounter. Vieirinha and Maximilian Arnold, who started at the weekend, weren't among the first eleven; so Sebastian Jung and André Schürrle were granted starting opportunities.
Unsurprisingly it was the Bundesliga side who had the first opportunity of the game, though goal-machine Bas Dost flashed his header just wide of Fabio Coltorti's goal.
Leipzig weren't phased by their opponents, especially after beating them in the same competitions a few years previous, and Poulsen was running at Marcel Schäfer at every chance. It was Lukas Klostermann that was presented with the best of them all, but the defender could only volley into the side netting from six yards out.
The hosts were proving that their attacking force could shine and Omer Damari's drive went a whisker away from opening the scoring. He was immediately made to regret that, however, as Daniel Caligiuri finished with aplomb.
He added to his brace at the weekend thanks to a fantastic strike. He collected Kevin de Bruyne's pass on the edge of the box before rifling home into the back of the net, leaving Coltorti and Tim Sebastian with absolutely no chance and completing a lightning-quick breakaway.
Further attacks from de Bruyne, Emil Forsberg and the battle between Anthony and Sebastian Jung were to follow, yet none of them could take advantage of the positions they were in.
Beierlorzer was dealt a further blow late on in the half as Sebastian caught an accidental elbow from Dost. That, along with the resulting fall, meant he could no longer continue and was replaced by Sebastian Heidinger, shifting Klostermann to centre-back.
The second-half began with Leipzig looking the more likely to find the game's second goal. Ante Rebic replaced Damari, as they went in search of an equaliser. Although, like the first period, they were punished for not taking their chances.
A wonderful corner from Schäfer was met by Timm Klose and the Swiss defender's header was as fine as could be, which found the top corner. Once again Coltorti had no hope of reaching Klose's effort; a magnificent leap matched by the finish, that gave Hecking's side a two-goal cushion.
Try as they might, even with Yordy Reyna's introduction, Leipzig couldn't force their way through the Wolfsburg defence. Hecking's team were beginning to take hold of the game and were happy to try for a third; it took a good save from de Bruyne's effort to prevent the East German side from falling further behind.
Wolfsburg advance to the final eight and will find out their opponents on Wednesday evening; though their attentions will soon turn to Bundesliga again, as they face FC Augsburg on Saturday.
Beierlorzer will be happy with his the performance of his team, who showed that they can give the top sides a fair scare on the night. Like Wolfsburg they have a tough task at the weekend, a trip to Karlsruher SC awaits this weekend.