Crucial home win over Feyenoord

Highlights

Sebastian Hoeneß made four changes for the visit of Feyenoord, with Finn Jeltsch, Lorenz Assignon, Chema and Tiago Tomas coming in for Ramon Hendriks, Josha Vagnoman, Atakan Karazor and Chris Führich. Unfortunately, Luca Jaquez picked up an injury during the warm-up, which brought Vagnoman back into the starting line-up.

Nübel on form

Feyenoord showed why they are currently top of the table in the Eredivisie, hitting VfB with a high press and quick interplay right from the off. Hoeneß’s team on the other hand found themselves losing possession far too easily during their build-up play, giving the Dutch side the upper hand.

The first real chance for either side came in the 14^th minute. After Bilal El Khannouss gave up the ball in midfield, Luciano Valente seized on it and sprayed a deep ball out to Hadj Moussa. The winger dribbled his way into the box and let fly from eight metres out, but Alexander Nübel was able to keep his side on level terms with a fine reflex save.

Undav and Mittelstädt lacking in precision

Stuttgart had a couple of opportunities of their own in the first half, but neither Deniz Undav (12’) nor Maximilian Mittelstädt (34’) with a volley could find the target from distance, and the teams went into the break with the scoreline goalless.

El Khannouss tries his luck

VfB picked up the pace and the energy in the second half and immediately put Feyenoord under pressure. El Khannouss had a good chance from long range (58’) but Timon Wellenreuther was equal to it in the visitors’ goal. At the other end of the pitch, Ayase Ueda sent a header just wide.

Late flurry of goals for VfB

In the 69^th minute, Wellenreuther was again on hand to prevent VfB from taking the lead, this time turning away an Undav effort before Jamie Leweling – on as a substitute – headed the rebound narrowly off-target. With time ticking away, Hoeneß’s side finally got the reward that their efforts deserved. A cross from Assignon was headed home by El Khannouss (84’), and then as Feyenoord threw men forward, Undav put the icing on the cake, rounding off a counter to make it 2-0 in the first minute of added time.

Goals

84^th minute: Assignon floats over a perfect cross from the right and El Khannouss firmly heads into the top of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.

90^th minute +1: Chris Führich plays an inch-perfect ball from the right and Undav merely has to prod it home to double the lead.