Crucial win over Leipzig

Match summary

The final fixture of Bundesliga Matchday 26 between the teams sitting fourth and fifth in the table produced an intense and high-quality affair for the sellout crowd at the MHP Arena.

Stuttgart ride their luck

VfB were given a let-off in the 33rd minute when a mistake in the build-up handed possession to David Raum. He passed immediately to Christoph Baumgartner, who was free in front of goal but fired over from seven metres.

Chance for Demirovic

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side had a good chance of their own just 60 seconds later. Chris Führich delivered a perfect cross from the left onto the head of Ermedin Demirovic, but he steered the ball wide.

In added time at the end of the first half, Jamie Leweling hammered a free kick from 30 metres towards the left corner but Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt reacted well to keep the game scoreless at the break.

Outstanding save from Nübel

The visitors had the first chance of the second period. From a corner, Nicolas Seiwald powered a header downwards from close range but Alexander Nübel managed to turn it onto the post.

Undav breaks deadlock

At the other end, Deniz Undav’s fine long-range effort was saved by Vandevoordt. But when the Leipzig shot-stopper then gave the ball straight to Führich from the penalty area, he passed it on to Undav, who made no mistake from 14 metres.

Stuttgart held on to the slender lead with a focused and battling defensive performance, although they were grateful to see Willi Orban’s header hit the post in stoppage time.

Goals

56th minute: Vandevoordt plays a misplaced pass into the feet of Führich, who immediately feeds Undav, and the VfB striker makes it 1-0 with a low shot into the right corner.