Highlights

camera-photo

Full-time: Stuttgart 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen preserve their unbeaten start to the season thanks to a Florian Wirtz strike in a strong second-half fightback. They go four points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the table.
Full-time
90'
+ 3

Silas fires over

The ball drops out to the Stuttgart substitute from a late corner, but he skies his effort.
90'

Five minutes of stoppage time are indicated

Will we see a late twist in this enthralling game?
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
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.
89'

Schick heads wide

Frimpong cuts the ball across and Schick has a go with a diving header that is deflected behind. Tah then has a header saved from the resulting corner as Leverkusen's pressure continues.
87'

Tah smashes wide

Leverkusen are looking the more threatening side as we approach the final few minutes, and the centre-back snaps a shot wide from within the box.
85'

Three late changes

Xabi Alonso's switch appears to be a defensive one - perhaps the Leverkusen coach will settle for a point today.
82'

Hrádecký dives to stop Stiller

That's a good leap from the Leverkusen goalkeeper to turn the ball behind at his near post.
79'

Leverkusen looking dangerous

Frimpong almost manages to cut the ball back to Schick right in front of the target, but there is a decisive block preventing the substitute from reaching it.
77'

Two changes for Stuttgart

Sebastian Hoeneß shuffles his pack again as we enter the final phase of this engaging encounter.
73'

Schick on

Leverkusen make a switch of centre-forward with Schick on for Boniface. The Czech attacker provided an assist within seconds of taking to the field last week against Dortmund.
73'

Frimpong shoots

The full-back scoops a shot from the edge of the box that Nübel is able to save.
70'

Undav shoots

It's a tricky shot - on the spin - from the Stuttgart attacker, but the hosts have enjoyed a better couple of minutes after Leverkusen's dominance of the second half so far.
66'

Pair of changes

On come Silas and Hofmann. Two attackers who have enjoyed very strong seasons so far - adding additional intrigue to the remainder of this game.
camera-photo

New best for Wirtz

Florian Wirtz's fourth goal so far this season makes this the highest-scoring half of a campaign yet for the 20-year-old.
59'

Frimpong threatens

Jeremie Frimpong glides down the right and delivers a tricky ball across the goalmouth that Nübel does well to grab onto.
57'

Game transformed

While Stuttgart bossed the ball in the first period, Leverkusen are now passing the ball around well and asking regular questions of the hosts' defence.
53'

Boniface header saved

The Nigerian twists to head a Palacios cross on goal. It's a comfortable save for Nübel, but Leverkusen continue to press after really racing up a gear in this second half.
51'

Chances, chances and more chances

The 26 shots in the first half were the most of any match so far this season. Stuttgart have not hit as many as 18 shots in the first half of a match since 2007.
Goal attempts
8off target
10on target
8off target
2on target
49'

Xhaka hits the post

What a response from the leaders at the start of the second half! Xhaka sets up a shot just outside the box and drills the ball into the post.
47'

Leverkusen level!

Florian Wirtz smashes Leverkusen back on level terms. The young attacking gem meets Boniface's beautifully floated ball across the box with his first touch to stroke it straight past Nübel.
47'
Florian Wirtz
Goal probability
information
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.
50 %
Distance to Goal
information
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.
8.41 m
46'

We're off again

After that superb first 45, we could have a lot to look forward to...
Kick-off!
camera-photo

Half-time: Stuttgart 1-0 Leverkusen

Stuttgart have been superb and thoroughly deserve their lead at the break. It's over to Xabi Alonso now to see if the Leverkusen coach can inspire a second-half comeback to save their unbeaten record.
Half-time
45'

Four minutes of stoppage time indicated

The home fans are going to enjoy those half-time snacks if the scoreline remains unchanged!
45'

Unusual situation for Leverkusen

The league leaders have been behind only once before away from home this season - at Bayern Munich in Matchday 4. They came back to draw that 2-2.
40'

Stuttgart take the lead!

It was coming. Stuttgart's confident attacking leads to a breakthrough as Undav turns the ball inside for Vagnoman on the right. The full-back cuts the ball across the goal for Führich to tap in his fourth goal of the season!
40'
Chris Führich
Goal probability
information
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.
97 %
Distance to Goal
information
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.
6.44 m
37'

Mittelstädt over

The Stuttgart full-back flashes a shot over from 20 metres out, and Undav has an effort saved moments later.
33'

Boniface scoops shot wide

Leverkusen set up another chance. Victor Boniface targets the far post from the left but sends his effort wide.
32'

Anton needs attention

The Stuttgart defender takes a cut in contesting the ball from that corner and needs bandaging before he - and the game - can continue.
30'

Adli over

Leverkusen get another headed chance from a corner.
30'

Hrádecký keeping Leverkusen level

information
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).
The Leverkusen goalkeeper has made a whopping six saves already.
xGoals
0
1.98
0.35
0
Goals
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
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'

Tah heads over from a corner

The chances just keep on coming in what has been a brilliant first half!
25'

Guirassy goes very close

Another great chance! Guirassy meets a dream pass through the defence but is stopped by a brilliant save from the feet of Hrádecký.
24'

Boniface denied

Leverkusen combine well with Frimpong feeding Boniface from the right. The Nigerian has a chance to crack a shot on goal from around the penalty spot, but Nübel saves well.
camera-photo

Impressive start

Stuttgart have looked the business going forward, with Undav going close to giving them the lead a couple of times. Leverkusen have only had one chance to note but look very capable of threatening on the break.
19'

Undav has a go from 40 metres out

The Stuttgart striker spots Hrádecký off his line a little from the right and swings a shot in. It's a comfortable save for the Leverkusen goalkeeper, but you can feel the sheer confidence from Undav to try something like that.
17'

Undav denied

A sharp shot from the on-loan striker from the edge of the box is saved well by Hrádecký.
16'

Midfield battles

After the very open start, the past few minutes have been defined by tussles in the centre of the park as both sides try to eke out an advantage.
11'

What a frantic start!

We've seen six shots in the opening 10 minutes, no less, with Stuttgart getting all but one of them.
Goal attempts
1off target
4on target
1off target
0on target
9'

Adli hits the post

Leverkusen cut Stuttgart open on the break, with Boniface laying it out to Adli on the left - whose shot rattles the goal frame!
7'

Blocked on the line - twice

More early drama as Stuttgart push for a lead! Two Leverkusen defenders clear the ball from the goal line in a matter of seconds as Tapsoba makes a vital block to deny Vagnoman.
6'

First booking

Kossounou takes Undav out 25 metres out as the Stuttgart attack stretch Leverkusen again.
3'

Führich saved

You can see the sparks flying from Stuttgart's sharp attackers. Undav twists in the area and sets up a shot for Führich, which is guided towards Hrádecký's near post but turned out by the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
2'

Kossounou down

No sooner has the match started than we have to take a short break as the Leverkusen defender took a blow to his cheek. He needs some treatment but appears to have shaken it off.
1'

Off we go

The eagerly awaited clash between two very in-form sides starts.
Kick-off!

The teams are out

We'll be underway in a matter of seconds...
0:21
camera-professional-play-symbol

Stuttgart players warming up...

15 minutes to kick off

The teams are getting read out over the tannoy at the MHPArena, drawing a set of enthusiastic shouts and cheers from the home fans.

Stuttgart salutes returning World Cup winner

17-year-old Maximilian Herwerth, who is in Stuttgart's youth ranks, gets a rousing reception ahead of kick-off for his part in Germany U17's World Cup win in Indonesia.
0:40
camera-professional-play-symbol

Here come the league leaders...

0:09
camera-professional-play-symbol

The quiet before the storm...

This is how the stadium looked in Stuttgart a while ago, but it's already filling up in anticipation of another big clash on this super Bundesliga matchday.
camera-photo

Many happy returns, Jeremie!

Leverkusen's flying full-back Jeremie Frimpong (right) is celebrating his 23rd birthday today. What better present could there possibly be than an away win to move his side six points clear of Bayern Munich?

More on that Stuttgart team

As expected, Sebastian Hoeneß has selected strike sensations Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav together again after they both scored in the 2-0 win over Werder Bremen last weekend. He goes with the same XI that started the 2-0 win over Dortmund in the DFB Cup in midweek.

More on that Leverkusen team

The headline news is that Florian Wirtz starts after the young playmaker was declared a doubt ahead of the match due to an ankle injury. There is one change to the side that drew 1-1 against Dortmund last week. Jonas Hofmann starts on the bench for the first time this season, with Amine Adli in the line-up instead.

Stuttgart starting XI

Nübel - Vagnoman, Anton (c), Zagadou, Mittelstädt - Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Führich - Undav, Guirassy

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Stenzel, Stergiou, Rouault, Jeong, Haraguchi, Silas, Leweling, Milošević

Leverkusen starting XI

Hrádecký (c) - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Wirtz, Adli – Boniface

Leverkusen subs

Kovář, Stanišić, Hincapié, Hofmann, Andrich, Amiri, Schick, Tella, Hložek
camera-photo

Hoeneß's view on Leverkusen

"Leverkusen don't give you many opportunities, but we've identified one or two areas where we can make use of the ball. It's difficult to trouble them when they're in possession. We have to think about whether we limit their space at the back or go for it at the other end. It might make sense to do something in between. Leverkusen are the only team in Europe who haven't lost yet this season. Trying to become the first team [to beat them] is a fun task. It's going to be hard enough, but we're going to try. We're confident of upsetting them at home in front of our fans."
camera-photo

Alonso's view on Stuttgart

"Stuttgart know what they're doing. You could see it at the end of last season. They were already playing very good football. You can see that something is building there. They're having a great season so far, playing with control and playing attacking football. There are some parallels with us, which is interesting to see. It's nice to see there are several teams in the Bundesliga that play football like that. It'll be a challenge for both sides."
4:56
camera-professional-play-symbol

Watch: Alonso on Leverkusen's sensational season

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso spoke to bundesliga.com about his side's incredible 2023/24 campaign so far.

Top-four prospects

In Bundesliga history, 33 teams had at least 30 points after 13 games: 31 of them finished in the top four, all of them ended in the top five. Stuttgart currently have 30, Leverkusen 35.
camera-photo

Probable line-ups

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!
2:03
camera-professional-play-symbol

Watch: Stuttgart 1-1 Leverkusen - previous meeting

Guirassy scored from the spot to cancel out an Exequiel Palacios penalty back in May. However, Stuttgart have not beaten Die Werkself since April 2018 - their only win in the past 22 in this fixture. Bayer have won 16 of them.
2:03
camera-professional-play-symbol

Watch: Stuttgart 2-0 Bremen - highlights

Deniz Undav and Serhou Guirassy were on target as Stuttgart consolidated third place with their 10th win from 12 Bundesliga matches this season.
2:03
camera-professional-play-symbol

Watch: Leverkusen 1-1 Dortmund - highlights

Victor Boniface secured a point for Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten after 12 matches.
0:30
camera-professional-play-symbol

Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 14 fixture between Stuttgart and Leverkusen.