VfB retain Bundesliga status!

Early setback

As was the case in the first leg, the respective home side struck early. Sonny Kittel opened the scoring for Hamburger SV in the sixth minute with a long-range effort, and the hosts remained on the front foot thereafter as they moved the ball around the pitch quickly. VfB needed a little while to settle and did have the ball in the back of the net in the 17^th minute through Serhou Guirassy, but it was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

The match remained a fast-paced affair, albeit without major scoring chances. HSV increased the pressure once again shortly before the interval, with Robert Glatzel firing narrowly wide (40’) before Florian Müller was twice called into action in stoppage time.

Match-winner Millot

VfB enjoyed the better start in the second half and equalised in the 48^th minute when Guirassy teed up Enzo Millot to stroke in the equaliser, levelling the score on the night and giving Sebastian Hoeneß’ side a significant psychological boost. The boys from Cannstatt subsequently played with greater confidence, took the sting out of the game and went 2-1 in front when Millot capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Daniel Heuer-Fernandes (64’).

HSV refused to give in and although Glatzel had another opportunity which only just missed the target (75’), their chances were limited, given VfB’s full-blooded commitment. Silas added a third in stoppage time to seal the victory and confirm the team’s place in the Bundesliga next season!

The goals:

6th minute (1-0): Kittel is afforded far too much space and his shot from distance goes in off the post.

48th minute (1-1): Wataru Endo feeds Guirassy, who lays the ball square for Millot to finish.

64th minute (1-2): Millot pounces on a mistake by Heuer Fernandes and taps the ball into the unguarded net. A vital goal!

90th+6 minute (1-3) Stuttgart get forward on the counter and Silas makes it 3-1. Game over!

Reaction:

Waldemar Anton: “A lot of pressure has been lifted after these two games. We invested a lot throughout the season, we didn’t always play well and we had to deal with setbacks. But in the end we managed to turn things around together. We’re just delighted that we can all celebrate the fact that we’re staying up together.”