VfB enjoyed the majority of early possession at a raucous Fenerbahçe Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi, but the hosts fashioned the first goalscoring opportunity of the contest on 21 minutes, when Youssef En-Nesyri’s powerful effort was well held by Alexander Nübel.
Stuttgart go close
The visitors’ first chance fell to Tiago Tomas, whose long-range drive was saved by Ederson after 23 minutes. Luca Jaquez sent a header narrowly wide of the post not long afterwards, while Maximilian Mittelstädt also went close with a sweetly struck volley on the half-hour mark. That lack of clinical edge meant Sebastian Hoeneß’s team were unable to convert their superiority into an opening goal.
Fenerbahçe take lead
After Angelo Stiller fouled Milan Škriniar in the penalty area on 31 minutes, Kerem Aktürkoglu made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick to give Fenerbahçe a 1-0 advantage at the interval.
Bright start to second half
The visitors made a purposeful start to the second period but, as in the first half, they were unable to make the most of the opportunities that fell their way. Badredine Bouanani failed to find the net from a promising position three minutes into the second half, while Atakan Karazor was unable to hit the target four minutes later.
Nartey, Undav and Leweling enter fray
Fenerbahçe gradually began to swing the pendulum back in their favour, pinning VfB back inside their own half. Hoeneß reacted by making several attacking substitutions, with Deniz Undav replacing Bouanani (63’) and Nikolas Nartey and Jamie Leweling coming on for Karazor and Ramon Hendriks (77’). VfB pushed hard for an equaliser late on, but Fenerbahçe held on valiantly to secure the win.
Goals
34th minute: Aktürkoglu sends Nübel the wrong way from the penalty spot, firing his effort into the right corner after the VfB goalkeeper had dived to his left.