VfB Stuttgart 2-2 Union Berlin
Goals: 0-1 Friedrich (4'), 0-2 Awoniyi (77') 2-1 Kalajdzic (85'), 2-2 Kalajdzic (90')

Stuttgart had beaten Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, while Union impressed in a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich, so both sides were full of confidence coming into this one. It was the visitors who settled first, though, with Marvin Friedrich heading Union in front in the fourth minute from a Christopher Trimmel free-kick. The hosts refused to be thrown off course though, reacting well and going close to equalising from Mateo Klimowicz’s fierce drive from the edge of the box, before Konstantinos Mavropanos headed straight at Andreas Luthe from a corner. Union were the better side overall in the first 45 minutes, however, and could have taken a more comfortable lead into the break, but both Sheraldo Becker and Cedric Teuchert fired over from presentable chances.

Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made two attacking changes at the interval, bringing on Tanguy Coulibaly and Daniel Didavi to offer greater variety in the final third, and the move very nearly paid instant dividends. Didavi floated a cross into the box, and Nico Gonzalez hit the bar from a stunning overhead kick. Coulibaly was involved in VfB’s next chance, scurrying into space on the right before crossing for Gonzalez, whose header fizzed just wide. After weathering that storm, Union showed them how it was done when Taiwo Awoniyi glanced a header past Gregor Kobel from Christopher Lenz’s cross, seemingly securing all three points for the visitors. Kalajdzic had other ideas, though. Brought off the bench in the 80th minute, the striker reduced the areas with a firm header from a corner within five minutes, before snatching a point for his side in stoppage time with a brilliantly taken goal, controlling Didavi’s cross on his chest before volleying home from 17 yards.

VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart - FCU Union Berlin Union Berlin

Supersub Kalajdzic rescues Stuttgart