Crucial three points against Leverkusen

Match summary


Nightmare start

VfB fell behind inside the opening minute at a sold-out MHP Arena. Ramon Hendriks lost the ball on the halfway line to Ibrahim Maza, who played it on to Christian Kofane. He teed up Aleix Garcia in the penalty area, who netted the early opener for the visitors.

Quick response from VfB

However, VfB were not shaken by the early goal and levelled just four minutes later, when Nikolas Nartey passed to Ermedin Demirovic in the box and the striker buried the ball into the left corner from seven metres.

Demirovic on fire

Sebastian Hoeneß’s men dominated the rest of the first half and the lively Demirovic had opportunities to add to his tally in the 24^th, 28^th and 31^st minute, but each time the Bosnian narrowly missed the target.

Lead just before half-time

Demirovic was denied again in the 43^rd minute, when his low shot towards the right corner was tipped behind by goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Shortly after that, the Stuttgart number nine was fouled in the area and following a VAR check, Maximilian Mittelstädt converted the resulting penalty to give VfB a deserved 2-1 lead on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts remained the better team in the second half and had early chances to extend their lead through Angelo Stiller (53’), Mittelstädt (54’) and Jeff Chabot (56’), but Falken kept Leverkusen in the game with three good saves.

Undav strikes

Flekken was soon picking the ball out of his net again, though. In the 58^th minute, Jamie Leweling’s cross from the right was steered home by Deniz Undav at close range.

Bayer 04 tried to find a way back into the contest after that, but Stuttgart showed great team spirit to see out a deserved victory and claim three hugely important points in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Goals

1’: After Hendriks concedes possession, Leverkusen counter with Konate setting up Garcia, who’s free to fire past Alex Nübel.

5’: Nartey links up in the penalty area with Demirovic, who equalises with a low drive into the left corner.

45’+7: Mittelstädt scores from the penalty spot to make it 2-1 to VfB.

58’: From Leweling’s cross, Undav knocks the ball in from four metres to make it 3-1.