Highlights
0:56
Watch: VfB Stuttgart 2-0 Union Berlin - highlights
Full-time! Stuttgart 2-0 Union Berlin
© Christian Kaspar-Bartke
Full-time
90'
+ 2
Wide!
Jeong sends a deflected effort just past the far post, with Rønnow rooted to the spot.
90'
Four added minutes
Stuttgart are going to end the night just a point behind second-placed Bayern...
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
87'
Two fabulous finishes the difference
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
2
0.92
0.98
0
Goals
85'
Close!
Juranović sends over a free-kick that Anton heads just past Nübel's goal. He seemed to know what he was doing, but that was a hairy moment for the Stuttgart defender.
83'
Ch-ch-ch-changes
Two subs for both teams, with Stuttgart's Jeong and Dahoud, and Union's Bedia and Roussillon entering the fray for the final 12 minutes or so.
82'
Substitution
82'
Substitution
82'
Substitution
82'
Substitution
81'
Save!
Rønnow gets down to his left to prevent Vagnoman from finding the bottom corner. Excellent goalkeeping.
77'
Cynical
Tousart is booked for scything down Mittelstädt in midfield. He can have no complaints with that one.
Seven goals and seven assists for Führich
© Christian Kaspar-Bartke
73'
Substitution
72'
Volland sacrificed in attack
On comes Aaronson to plug the gap in midfield following Schäfer's red card.
70'
Union down to 10 men!
A tough task gets a whole lot harder for the visitors as Schäfer is shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Vagnoman. No malice intended, but that could have been nasty.
68'
Roof of the net!
Mittelstädt sends over a cross-shot that has Rønnow momentarily in a panic. It clears the crossbar fairly comfortably in the end, though.
66'
Double change
Král and Vertessen were already being readied before the goal. Big ask for them to shift the tide.
66'
Substitution
66'
Substitution
65'
Führich goal!
Daylight for Stuttgart. Führich controls a looping ball on the left-hand side of the area, before stepping inside and arrowing an unstoppable strike into the far corner. Rønnow barely moved.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Shot speed
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
64'
Home comforts
Possession (%)
6634
64'
60'
Fresh legs
The 14-goal Undav replaces Millot, while Leweling is on for Stenzel. Vagnoman will drop to right-back.
60'
Substitution
60'
Substitution
58'
Close, but no cigar
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
1
0.78
0.98
0
Goals
52'
Führich!
The Stuttgart midfielder runs in off the left before firing goalwards from the edge of the area, but it's too close to the keeper, who pushes the ball away.
49'
Strong save!
Nübel's called on again to beat away Volland's 18-yard strike. Encouraging signs from Union since the restart...
48'
Tousart!
The Frenchman gets ahead of Millot to meet Juranović's corner, but can only head straight at Nübel.
46'
Anton on
He was a doubt before the game, but the Stuttgart captain is sent on to replace Rouault, who took a hit to the face in the first half.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 4
Substitution
Half-time! Stuttgart 1-0 Union
© Christian Kaspar-Bartke
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Chance!
Stuttgart with another fine piece of attacking play. Guirassy drops deep to free Millot, who lays it off for Vagnoman to his right. He hits it well, but the angle's tight and Rønnow is out to block with an outstretched arm, before the assistant's flag is raised for an offside in the build-up.
43'
Rush of blood
Tousart runs from deep to chase down a chipped ball into the Stuttgart area. It's neither a cross nor a shot in the end, though, as he punts the ball into the stand behind Nübel's goal.
39'
Proceed with caution
Khedira's the first player into the book after catching Karazor a little late. Tasty midfield battle, that one.
35'
Expected Goals
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
1
0.54
0.55
0
Goals
35'
Goal attempts
4off target
1on target
1off target
2on target
31'
Win probability
Win probability
0'
54.2 %
Now
75.8 %
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
27'
Normal service resumed
For now, anyway. Rouault is going to try and run this off.
25'
Rouault concern
The Stuttgart defender is receiving treatment after an aerial clash with Gosens. He's already wearing a mask following a broken nose a month ago.
23'
Stuttgart come again
Stiller's goal-bound drive is blocked behind for a corner that's headed out only as far as Stenzel, who drives over from 18 yards. The home fans applaud the ambition.
19'
What a finish!
Karazor threads a brilliant pass round the back of Leite for Guirassy, who times his run to perfection before sending a supremely confident finish into the far corner. That's his 21st Bundesliga goal of the campaign. Only Fritz Walter (22) and Mario Gomez (24) have scored more single-season Bundesliga goals in Stuttgart colours.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Shot speed
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
16'
Good recovery
Nübel's nonchalant chipped pass is picked off by Gosens. He shifts the play into the box for Schäfer, who sees his low strike pushed to safety by the goalkeeper. Blushes very much spared.
15'
The Stuttgart press
Hoeneß's team are hunting in packs, hounding the opposition whenever they don't have the ball. Terrific energy levels.
11'
Half chance!
Mittelstädt gets in behind the Union defence and drives a cross towards the penalty spot for Millot, who sends a difficult first-time effort over the bar. VfB beginning to purr...
6'
Union scare!
Rønnow fumbles as he goes to claim a loose ball in the Union box. Stuttgart recycle possession, with Rouault driving into the box and exchanging passes with Guirassy, but a heavy touch allows the keeper to block. The flag then goes up for offside, so it wouldn't have counted.
2'
Big chance!
Vertessen latches onto a ball over the top of the Stuttgart defence, brushing off two defenders on his way into the area. It opens up for him as Nübel rushes off his line to narrow the angle, but the ex-PSV Eindhoven striker sends his shot wide. His wait for a first Bundesliga goal goes on...
1'
Stuttgart kick off
They're in white with a flash of red. Union are head-to-toe in scarlet, captained by former VfB youngster Rani Khedira.
Kick-off!
Superb atmosphere
The home fans are in high spirits as they belt out the club anthem 'Immer VfB' (Always VfB). No surprise given that their team have more points on the board at this stage in a Bundesliga season than ever before (50).
Home fortress vs. away-day struggles
Stuttgart have won nine of 12 home games so far this Bundesliga season, drawing two and losing just once (3-1 vs. Hoffenheim in October). Union, meanwhile, have taken maximum points just twice on the road (D2, L8)
Fourth, third, even second?
It's been a remarkable season for Stuttgart, who begin Matchday 25 with a six-point cushion on fourth-in-the-table Borussia Dortmund. Victory here would take them to within a point of second-placed Bayern ahead of the defending champions' meeting with Mainz tomorrow. And to think they were a two-legged play-off loss from being relegated last May!
More on those teams
Pascal Stenzel replaces Waldemar Anton, who is only fit enough for a place on the bench, as Hoeneß switches to a back four. That means striker Deniz Undav has to settle for a place on the bench once again. As for Union, Robin Gosens returns from suspension at left-back in place of Jerome Roussillon, while Yorbe Vertessen comes in for Benedict Hollkerbach in attack.
Stuttgart starting line-up
Nübel - Stenzel, Rouault, Ito, Mittelstädt - Karazor (c), Stiller - Vagnoman, Millot, Führich - Guirassy
Stuttgart subs
Bredlow, Anton, Stergiou, Dahoud, Jeong, Massimo, Silas, Leweling, Undav
Union starting line-up
Rønnow - Doekhi, Vogt, Leite - Khedira (c) - Juranović, Tousart, Schäfer, Gosens - Volland, Vertessen
Union subs
Schwolow, Roussillon, Trimmel, Knoche, Aaronson, Haberer, Král, Bedia, Hollerbach
Hoeneß on Union
© IMAGO/Cathrin Mller
Bjelica on Stuttgart
© Maja Hitij
3:18
Watch: Stuttgart back among the Bundesliga big boys
Form favours VfB
Stuttgart are enjoying a six-match unbeaten run, claiming 16 from a possible 18 points compared to Union's eight in that time.
Probable line-ups
© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER
2:03
Watch: Union 0-3 Stuttgart - previous meeting
2:03
Watch: Wolfsburg 2-3 Stuttgart - highlights
2:03
Watch: Union Berlin 0-2 Borussia Dortmund - highlights
0:30