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08/05 6:30 PM

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VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart - B04 Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen

VFB

3

B04

1

D. Undav
58'

MHPArena(60,000 Spectators)

Robert Schröder

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51 %Ermedin Demirović

Ermedin Demirović

0:38

0:28

Watch: Demirović on Stuttgart's 'finals'

0:19

Watch: Hjulmand on top-four race

Full-time: Stuttgart 3-1 Leverkusen

Stuttgart hold onto their lead to claim a vital three points in their pursuit for the top four following a dominant performance over fellow Champions League hopefuls Leverkusen. The hosts showed no signs of slowing after their rip-roaring first-half display, extending their lead through captain Undav before the hour mark. Leverkusen never really looked like getting back into the game, which was testament to Stuttgart's brilliance more than anything.

© THOMAS KIENZLE

Full-time

90'

+ 7

Yellow card

Exequiel Palacios

90'

+ 7

Yellow card

90'

+ 5

Assignon through

A long ball up from the back for Stuttgart is brought down excellently by Assignon, who charges down on Flekken's goal. Before he can get a shot away, however, the substitute is dispossessed courtesy of some remarkable defending from Grimaldo.

90'

+ 1

Stoppage time

A minimum of six additional minutes have been indicated.

89'

Double swap

Hoeneß also goes to his bench, introducing two defensive players as he looks to hold onto the lead here. Assignon and Vagnoman replace Führich and Leweling.

87'

Substitution

Lorenz Assignon

88'

Substitution

86'

Attacking change

Hjulmand makes another substitution as Quansah makes way for Ben Seghir. Can the Moroccan international create some late drama here?

86'

Substitution

Eliesse Ben Seghir

84'

Fair scoreline

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 xG values suggest that the 3-1 scoreline is a fair reflection of the quality and quantity of chances had by both sides.

xGoals

3

3.28

0.42

1

Goals

81'

Delivered by Grimaldo

Once again, Leverkusen's Spanish set-piece technician delivers a corner from the right. It's aimed towards the near post, but Chabot is first to the ball to head it clear.

80'

Führich booked

Stuttgart's No.10 is penalised for a foul on Tillman.

80'

Yellow card

79'

Changes on both sides

Kofane is unable to continue and is replaced with Poku. For Stuttgart, there is also a double change: Jaquez and El Khannouss replace Mittelstädt and Nartey.

78'

Substitution

Maximilian Mittelstädt

78'

Substitution

Bilal El Khannouss

78'

Substitution

Christian Kofane

73'

Kofane down

The young Cameroonian forward has remained down on the turf following a mid-air collision in the Stuttgart box. He's back to his feet now, though, and looks set to continue for now.

71'

Well defended

A high cross finds Schick at the far post. He shows good footwork to try and make space for a shot, but Hendriks stays with him before smashing it behind for a corner. Grimaldo takes, but Leverkusen can't fashion anything from the set piece.

Undav takes his leave

The scorer of the third goal is withdrawn by Hoeneß, to be replaced by Tomás.

© IMAGO/Vitalii Kliuiev

68'

Substitution

The goalscorer departs

Hjulmand is the first of the coaches to look to the bench, introducing Arthur and Tillman for Culbreath and the goalscorer García. Can the substitutes help Leverkusen find a way back into this one?

© THOMAS KIENZLE

65'

Substitution

Montrell Culbreath

65'

Substitution

64'

Double chance for Leverkusen

From a free-kick, Grimaldo swings a teasing cross into the six-yard box. Stuttgart half clear, but Palacios recovers the ball before playing it out wide to Maza. In turn, the Algerian fires a low cross into the same area, but again, Stuttgart clear.

61'

Under the kosh

Since Leverkusen took the lead in the first half, it's largely been one-way traffic in terms of chances. Die Werkself are struggling to create, whereas the Swabians are having no issue in letting shots fly.

Goal attempts

9off target

9on target

1off target

3on target

0:17

Undav adds a third!

It's no less than Stuttgart deserve. Nartey dispossesses Schick on the halfway line. He plays it to Demirović, who sends Leweling running up the right flank. The winger then picks his head up and spots Undav, who had made a run towards the back post. The cross is deflected, but still makes its way to Undav, who slots home past Flekken to score his 19th Bundesliga goal of the campaign.

58'

Deniz Undav

GOAL!

3:1

Deniz Undav

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.

66 %

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.

6.8 m

Chabot denied

Mittelstädt swings in a corner from the right. Chabot rises to meet it with a header, but Flekken is equal to the task and manages to claw the ball away from the top left corner.

© THOMAS KIENZLE

55'

Great block by Quansah

Stuttgart have an overload down the left. Führich shifts it to Mittelstädt, who bears down on goal before attempting to chip Flekken. However, at the last moment, Quansah steams across to make a miraculous block, sending the ball behind for a corner.

54'

Stiller!

Nartey starts the move, finding Mittelstädt who plays it on to Führich. Stiller receives the ball and gets a low shot away, but Flekken gathers comfortably.

52'

Pinball

Führich gets to the byline down the left once again. He plays a low cross towards the near post, but Flekken is there first to attempt a clearance. He deflects it onto Demirović's chest, but it takes the Bosnian by surprise, and he sends it just wide of the mark.

Goal disallowed!

Demirović thought he had his second again! Undav has his shot saved from 10 yards by Flekken. The Dutch goalkeeper can only guide it into the path of Demirović, who slots the rebound into the bottom left corner. However, after a VAR review, the goal is disallowed for offside against Undav. There was also a check for a possible foul from Chema on Tapsoba, but no infringement was adjudged to have been committed.

© IMAGO/Max Krause /Rohdiamant

47'

SituationNo penalty

ReviewFoul?

DecisionNo penalty

46'

Back underway!

Leverkusen get the ball back rolling for the second half here. Neither coach has elected to make any half-time changes.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Stuttgart 2-1 Leverkusen

And breathe! After a crazy half of football, it's Stuttgart who lead at the break thanks to Mittelstädt's late penalty, conceded by Tapsoba. García had fired the visitors to an early lead inside 40 seconds here, but the advantage was short-lived as Demirović - who has been a real threat all afternoon - levelled minutes later. Despite Stuttgart's dominance, the one goal in it means it's still all to play for in the second half of this battle for the top four.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Half-time

Mittelstädt converts!

The Stuttgart No.7 steps up to take the spot-kick and puts it away as cool as you like! He calmly approaches the ball before chipping it down the middle, sending Flekken floundering to his left. Stuttgart lead before the break!

© Adam Pretty

45'

+ 7

Maximilian Mittelstädt

GOAL!

2:1

Penalty

Maximilian Mittelstädt

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.

77 %

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.

11 m

45'

+ 5

Penalty given!

The referee is advised to go to the monitor and points to the spot! Penalty to Stuttgart!

45'

+ 3

SituationNo penalty

ReviewFoul?

DecisionPenalty

45'

+ 3

VAR check underway

There's a check for a potential Stuttgart penalty following a challenge from Tapsoba on Demirović.

45'

+ 3

End-to-end

It's really open in the closing stages of the first half here. First, Stiller and Führich do well to get down the left flank from where they smash crosses into the box, but they find no takers. Up the other end, Schick is almost released one-on-one with Nübel, but Stuttgart just manage to recover to get it safety.

45'

+ 2

Demirović causing problems

The Bosnian has caused problems all half for the Leverkusen backline. However, he will be wondering how he hasn't managed to add a second.

Shots

6

1

Ermedin Demirović Aleix García

Ermedin Demirović

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

A minimum of two additional minutes have been indicated.

44'

What a stop from Flekken!

Demirović thought he had his second! Stiller plays a driven pass into his feet. Under pressure from Tapsoba, the Stuttgart forward does well to shield the ball, keeping his balance before turning the Leverkusen defender and getting a shot off towards the bottom right corner. His effort takes a deflection off the Leverkusen defender on its way through, but Flekken does excellently to get down to his left and tip the ball round the post.

Textbook counter-attack

From a Stuttgart corner, Leverkusen string a sensational move together to get themselves up the pitch. Palacios picks out Maza with a stunning long pass. The Algerian combines excellently with Kofane before his attempted shot is deflected behind for a corner, upon which Leverkusen don't manage to capitalise.

© IMAGO/Horst Ettensberger

37'

Swung in by Grimaldo

The Spaniard picks out Schick at the far post from a right-sided corner. Schick heads back across goal to try and set up a teammate, but Stuttgart scramble it away.

35'

Maza fouled

Schick looks to release the Algerian with a deft flick in behind, but the former Hertha midfielder is impeded by Chema, winning Leverkusen a foul. García takes it, but he overhits the delivery, sending it behind for a goal-kick.

31'

Demirović again!

Undav slips a ball forward for the Stuttgart No.9 to run on to. The Bosnian does well to hold off Andrich before driving an effort towards the near post. Again, his effort goes just wide, though.

30'

No shortage of efforts

There have already been a total of 11 shots inside the first half an hour here.

Goal attempts

4off target

4on target

0off target

3on target

28'

Flashed across the face of goal

Stiller starts a move, finding Hendriks who plays it to Chema. The midfielder lifts a ball over the backline for Demirović, who brings it down with his chest before lashing an effort on the half-volley towards the top left corner. It's powerfully struck, but much to Flekken's relief, flies wide of the mark.

0:17

How did that stay out?!

Führich beats Quansah down the left flank before cutting the ball back to Demirović on the edge of the six-yard box. The Bosnian has time to pick his spot, but Tapsoba throws himself in front of the shot to make the block. Flekken wasn't going to get there...

23'

Clinical display

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 xG values indicate that both sides are good value for their early goals here.

xGoals

1

0.48

0.34

1

Goals

23'

Stiller back on

The midfielder has returned to the pitch and is set to continue.

0:25

Stiller down

There's a lengthy stoppage whilst the Stuttgart No.6 remains on the turf in the Leverkusen box following a coming-together with Tapsoba. He has since left the field for further treatment, but no substitution has been prepared by the Swabians as of yet.

19'

Führich whips it in

The winger cuts in off the left flank and looks to pick out Demirović at the far post with a teasing cross, but Grimaldo defends it excellently, coming across to head it clear.

18'

Maza on the volley

Palacios starts the move, finding Tapsoba, who plays a driven pass up from the back on to Kofane. The forward's touch takes it high, but it drops kindly for Maza, who takes a shot first-time on the volley, but Nübel is equal to it.

17'

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).

VFB

B04

11.6 s

15.9 s

15'

Swung in by Grimaldo

The Spaniard curls a right-sided corner into the six-yard box, but a Stuttgart head is first to the ball to clear.

11'

Well blocked

Demirović starts a move with a pass to Nartey, who lays it off to Stiller. Stiller threads it through to Undav, but Andrich gets across to block the shot.

10'

In from García

The scorer of the opener whips a free-kick in from 35 yards out. He aims for Schick at the far post, and finds him, but the Czech striker cannot manage to steer his effort on target.

Demirović draws Stuttgart level!

We have a real game on our hands! Stuttgart were not disheartened by Leverkusen's early opener. Leweling plays a ball into Demirović's feet, who has his back to goal. The Bosnian plays a one-two with Nartey before drilling home the equaliser past Flekken. All square here!

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

5'

Ermedin Demirović

GOAL!

1:1

Assist:Nikolas Nartey

Ermedin Demirović

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.

32 %

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.

104.68 km/h

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.

11.58 m

3'

Undav tests Flekken

Nartey picks out Undav, but the striker's subsequent effort from outside the box is kept out by a comfortable stop from Flekken.

What a start for Leverkusen!

A dream opening for Hjulmand's men. Maza picks Hendriks' pocket at the halfway line. He plays it to Kofane, who tees up the onrushing García to his left. The Spaniard rushes into the box and guides the opener past Nübel at the near post. First blood to Leverkusen!

© IMAGO/Volker Mueller

1'

Aleix García

GOAL!

0:1

Assist:Christian Kofane

Aleix García

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.

20 %

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.

90.83 km/h

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.

11.92 m

1'

And we're off!

The hosts get the ball rolling for this top-four tussle in Stuttgart.

Kick-off!

0:20

Idyllic conditions at the MHPArena

0:06

A peak inside Stuttgart's dressing room

0:22

Warm-ups underway!

1:01

Here come the Swabians

More on that Stuttgart side

By contrast, Sebastian Hoeneß makes four changes to last week's 3-3 draw away in Hoffenheim. Captain Karazor was shown a red card that day, and thus serves a suspension today. El Khannouss, Jaquez and Vagnoman all start on the bench. In their places come Chema, Mittelstädt, Nartey and Demirović (pictured).

© THOMAS KIENZLE

More on that Leverkusen side

Kasper Hjulmand makes just the one change to the side he fielded for last week's 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig. Kofane (r.) comes in for Tella, who misses out with a muscle problem. 18-year-old Culbreath continues to enjoy a run in the team, making his third consecutive start at right wing-back.

© Christof Koepsel

Starting line-up: VfB Stuttgart

Formation:4-2-3-1

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Zagadou, Assignon, Stenzel, Jaquez, Vagnoman, El Khannouss, Bouanani, Tomás

Starting line-up: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Formation:3-4-2-1

Leverkusen subs

Blaswich, Badé, Arthur, Vázquez, Fernández, Hofmann, Tillman, Ben Seghir, Poku

Kasper Hjulmand on facing Stuttgart:

"We need to play with concentration and mental strength. They've had a very good season, picked up a lot of points and are also in the cup final. They press heavily man-to-man, we know that. We're ready for the challenge."

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Buriakov

Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Bayer Leverkusen

"They are a really good football team in good form. We've had intense matches against them in recent years, but they've also been fun. We're looking forward to the clash."

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

3:32

Watch: Super Schick analysis

The Leverkusen centre-forward is the Bundesliga's form striker heading into the final two matchdays of the season.

Tight Champions League race

This fixture is a head-to-head between two teams level on 58 points. Given Hoffenheim are also on 58 points, it means there is currently a three-way race for one Champions League spot. Whoever prevails here will put themselves in a fantastic position heading into the final matchday.

© DFL/Getty Images/Lukas Schulze

Undav to strike?

With 18 goals, Deniz Undav is second only to Harry Kane in the Bundesliga scoring charts this term. He is without a goal in four league matches, but a strike here would see him reach a personal-best tally in the German top flight.

© DFL/Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Leverkusen's happy hunting ground

Leverkusen are currently unbeaten in 13 visits to the MHP Arena. Stuttgart's last home win against the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions came in April 2010, when Cacau's double helped secure a 2-1 victory.

© imago sportfotodienst

Stuttgart end sorry run

Stuttgart's 4-1 hammering of Leverkusen in the reverse fixture ended a run of 15 winless matches versus the Werkself. Overall, Leverkusen have 45 competitive wins in this match-up, to Stuttgart's 24. Should VfB win here, it would be back-to-back triumphs against Leverkusen for the first time since 1991/92.

© IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller/Sven Simon

Clash of consistency

Stuttgart have performed well at the MHP Arena this season, with the third-best record in the division in front of their own supporters. Leverkusen, though, sit fourth in the away table, suggesting they will not be overawed by Stuttgart's home prowess.

© DFL/Getty Images/Lukas Schulze

Leverkusen bounce back

The Werkself have catapulted themselves right back into the Champions League race with their recent form. The win over Leipzig was their fourth in their last five games, while their haul of 12 points during that period is seven more than Stuttgart and four more than Hoffenheim, their closest top-four challengers. Their recent resurgence is part of a longer 10-game streak during which they have lost just once.

© IMAGO/pepphoto / Horst Mauelshagen

Hoeneß's milestone

Sebastian Hoeneß is set to take charge of his 150th game for Stuttgart here. It has been quite the journey since taking over, as he has survived a relegation play-off, finished second in the league, overseen a UEFA Champions League season and also won the DFB Cup.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Poor mini-run

While Stuttgart can take heart from their recovery against Hoffenheim, drawing 3-3 after being 3-1 down at one point, they are now without a win in three Bundesliga games. That is their longest run without a victory this season.

© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann

2:03

Watch: Leverkusen 1-4 Stuttgart - previous meeting

Four goals in a blistering first-half spell for Stuttgart saw them stroll to all three points at the BayArena on Matchday 16.

2:03

Watch: Hoffenheim 3-3 Stuttgart - last time out

Despite being 3-1 down and then having Atakan Karazor sent off, Stuttgart battled back to secure what could prove to be a crucial point on Matchday 32, with Tiago Tomás netting the equaliser deep into stoppage time.

2:03

Watch: Leverkusen 4-1 Leipzig - last time out

Patrik Schick scored a hat-trick as Leverkusen hammered Leipzig on Matchday 32 to move into the top four.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 33 fixture between VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen.