Basel trip ends in defeat

Match summary

Early hitch

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side fell behind to an early goal from Albian Ajeti after a defensive error in the third minute. VfB got into the game after that but couldn’t convert their possession into clear goalscoring opportunities.

Lucky break

VfB allowed their opponents too much space defensively and were given a let-off when Koba Koindredi’s long-distance shot only hit the right post after a quick counter in the 18th minute.

Demirovic misses penalty

The first big chance for the visitors in the first half fell to Ermedin Demirovic, who headed over unmarked from Tiago Tomas’ cross on 27 minutes.

The VfB striker then had a penalty saved by Marwin Hitz in the 36th minute after a foul on Tomas, leaving the score at 1-0 going into the break.

Chance for Chema

Chema had the first real opportunity for VfB in the second half, when his powerful header from Maximilian Mittelstädt’s cross was saved by Hitz. Stuttgart dominated from then on but continued to lack the required accuracy to cap off their attacking endeavours.

Hitz saves from Hendriks – Tomas squanders big chance

Hitz subsequently produced another reflex stop to deny Ramon Hendriks from a corner. Ten minutes later, the Basel keeper thwarted VfB again when a misplaced back-pass presented Tomas with the chance to equalise. When Xherdan Shaqiri made it 2-0 in the 84th minute after some sloppy defending, it was game over.

Goals

3rd minute: Lorenz Assignon plays a pass towards his own goal right into the path of Ajeti, who keeps his composure in front of Alexander Nübel.

84th minute: Shaqiri curls a cross-shot from a tight angle into the far corner to put Basel 2-0 up.