Comprehensive win against Hamburg

Match summary

As expected, Sebastian Hoeneß’s men took command from the off at the MHP Arena and forced the visitors deep into their own half. The promoted side initially defended well in a compact 5-3-2 system, although they were thankful that Deniz Undav missed the target with the first chance for VfB in the tenth minute.

Stiller with breakthrough

With over 70 percent possession, the pressure continued from Stuttgart and it paid off in the 21st minute. Undav played in Jamie Leweling in the penalty area and the Germany international laid it perfectly back to Angelo Stiller, who side-footed an unstoppable low shot into the left corner.

Führich makes it 2-0

Just after the half-hour mark, Stiller disrupted Hamburg’s build-up effectively to win possession. Ermedin Demirovic then teed up Chris Führich, who was free in the box to fire in the second goal into the right corner. Demirovic (39’) and Undav (44’) missed good opportunities to extend VfB’s lead before half-time.

Mittelstädt puts it to bed

Stuttgart remained clearly the better team in the second half and caused HSV constant problems with their forceful attacking play. When Maximilian Mittelstädt’s long-distance shot was deflected into the HSV net to make it 3-0 in the 56th minute, the contest was all but over. In the 83rd minute, Undav missed a penalty awarded for a foul on Tiago Tomas following a VAR review.

El Khannouss has final word

VfB did eventually get the fourth goal they deserved, though, and it came from substitute Bilal El Khannouss in the 86th minute. The victory over Hamburg moves Hoeneß’s side above RB Leipzig into third place on goal difference, with five matchdays left.

Goals

21st minute: Undav feeds Leweling, who cuts it back perfectly to Stiller and then the VfB midfielder buries it into the left corner.

32nd minute: Demirovic finds Führich free in the box and the Germany international finishes it off with a low shot into the right corner.

56th minute: Mittelstädt lets rip from 22 metres and the shot takes a deflection on its way past Daniel Heuer Fernandes in the HSV goal.

86th minute: El Khannouss makes it 4-0 with a deflected shot from just inside the penalty area.