Champions League race heats up as VfB Stuttgart host Bayer Leverkusen
VfB Stuttgart’s rise under Sebastian Hoeneß has turned them into genuine contenders for a top-four finish, but Bayer Leverkusen remain firmly in the hunt after a season of fluctuating form. Separated only by goal difference and with UEFA Champions League qualification hanging in the balance, this late-season showdown could prove pivotal.
For Stuttgart, the pressure is well and truly on heading into Matchday 33. Not only are Die Schwaben at home against Leverkusen, they have also been in the driving seat for UEFA Champions League qualification for much of the season. Only a recent collapse in form, in which they have won just one of their last five matches, has seen them drop outside of the top four.
Leverkusen, by contrast, have hit form at just the right time, it seems. Kasper Hjulmand's side have won three of their last four, beating Borussia Dortmund and Rhineland rivals Cologne away before hammering RB Leipzig 4-1 at home on Matchday 32.
After the Leipzig game, Hjulmand stated: "Our stadium was phenomenal today. The fans had a very good energy, and we needed that...they were fantastic."
The man who stole the headlines against Ole Werner's side was Bayer's in-form striker Patrik Schick, who scored a superb hat-trick to take his Bundesliga tally to 16. The Czech international said of his display: "I am very happy that I was able to help my team in the Champions League race today."
Watch: Bayer Leverkusen 1-4 VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart had a top-four showdown of their own against Hoffenheim on Matchday 33. With both clubs knowing a win would put them in the driving seat in the race for Champions League football next season, caution was well and truly thrown to the wind at the ProZero Arena.
A goal - and a man - down heading into the final moments of stoppage time against Hoffenheim, Tiago Tomás popped up with what could prove to be a decisive equaliser come the end of the season. A point may not be enough against Leverkusen, however, as only a win can help Stuttgart climb back into the top four due to Bayer's superior goal difference.
Speaking about the dramatic match in Hoffenheim, head coach Hoeneß reflected: “It was an incredible match that we witnessed. After the first goal, we responded quickly but then fell behind from a set piece again. At 3-1 it was a very difficult task – Hoffenheim had one or two opportunities to put it to bed. We reduced the deficit, hung in and battled, and always believed we could equalise.”
Ermedin Demirović added: “Ultimately, it’s a very important point, which can give us a boost for the end of the Bundesliga season. We worked hard for the equaliser and kept believing until the end."
Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, who made some big saves throughout, said: “We’re pleased with the point in the end. It was a battling performance, which earned us a point. And the point obviously helps – it’s very tight in the table, but this keeps us right in the hunt [for the top four]."
Watch: Hoffenheim 3-3 VfB Stuttgart
History favours Leverkusen in this tie, who have won 41 of their 89 Bundesliga matches against Stuttgart. The most recent clash between these two sides proved to be something of an anomoly, as Stuttgart beat Leverkusen 4-1 away from home for the first time in almost eight years. Worryingly for Hoeneß and co, his side haven't beaten Bayer on home soil since April 2010, when a double from fan-favourite Cacau made the difference.
Recent results also point to another potential goalfest, as there have been 12 in the two most recent Bundesliga matches between these sides. It's a trend that fits two attack-minded teams who have each scored 66 league goals this season - more than BVB and Leipzig above them.
With just two games remaining, there is little margin for error in the race for European football. Victory would likely put the winner in pole position for Champions League qualification, while defeat could prove fatal to those ambitions with little time to recover.
