VfB Stuttgart have work to do in the UEFA Champions League after letting slip a 1-0 lead in a heavy defeat to Serbia's Red Star Belgrade.

Red Star Belgrade 5-1 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 0-1 Demirović 5' (assist: Millot), 1-1 Silas 12' (assist: Seol), 2-1 Krunić 31', 3-1 Ivanić 65' (assist: Elšnik), 4-1 Radonjić 69' (assist: Krunić), 5-1 Radonjić 88' (assist: Elšnik)

With four points from their first four games in the new-format league phase, including a notable 1-0 win away to Juventus, Stuttgart justified their pre-match favourites tag by taking an early lead against winless Red Star. Ermedin Demirović got the goal with a fine finish from outside the area, but the Bosnia-Herzegovina international's strike proved a false dawn for last season's Bundesliga runners-up. Stuttgart loanee forward Silas levelled with a fine run and finish and, after Demirović had an effort ruled out for offside following a VAR review, Red Star's Rade Krunić fired in from inside the box to turn the game on its head.

Stuttgart were indebted to Alexander Nübel for keeping the scoreline down in the early stages of the second half as he thwarted Silas, Cherif Ndiaye and Mirko Ivanić, but the Germany goalkeeper's resistance wasn't to last. Ivanić headed in unmarked from a corner, before fellow substitute Nemanja Radonjić added a fourth on the counter with over 20 minutes still to play. That quick one-two knocked the stuffing out of Stuttgart, though there was still time for Radonjić to add salt into the wound with his second goal of the night late on. VfB now find themselves a point outside the knockout phase elimination play-offs ahead of fixtures against Young Boys, Slovan Bratislava and Paris Saint-Germain.

Match stats

• This is Stuttgart's sixth season of Champions League football. They are bidding to reach the knockouts for the third time.
• Demirović scored his first Champions League goal.
• Silas contributed five goals and five assists to Stuttgart's surprise runners-up finish in last season's Bundesliga.
• Sebastian Hoeneß had just guided Bayern Munich's reserves to the 3. Liga title the last time a German team won the Champions League - the Bayern seniors - in 2019/20.
• VfB had faced Serbian opposition only once before, beating Partizan Belgrade 2-0 in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup groups.
• Red Star had lost all four of their previous Champions League meetings with German clubs, going down to Bayern and RB Leipzig by an aggregate score of 14-2.

Teams

Red Star: Guteša - Mimović, Djiga, Spajić (c), Seol - Elšnik, Krunić (Dalcio 78') - Silas (Kanga 77'), Maksimović (Ivanić 59'), Milson (Radonjić 67') - Ndiaye (Bruno Duarte 67')
Unused subs: Ilić, Draškić, Katai, Rodić, Leković, Drkušić
Out: Olayinka (achilles)
Coach: Vladan Milojević 

Stuttgart: Nübel - Stenzel (Rieder 46'), Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Karazor (c), Stiller - Vagnoman (Stergiou 76'), Millot (Malanga 76'), Führich - Demirović 
Unused subs: Bredlow, Seimen, Keitel, Krätzig, Kastanaras, Boakye, Chase
Out: Al-Dakhil (ill), Leweling (hamstring), Raimund (thigh), Touré (foot), Undav (thigh), Zagadou (knee)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

As it happened!

5 - 1

(2 - 1)

Red Star

FINAL

Stuttgart

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 5 League phase, Matchday 5 Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade

Full-time: Red Star 5-1 Stuttgart

A disappointing night in the Champions League for Stuttgart has come to an end. Trailing by one goal at half-time, the visitors came out with vigour and intent as they searched for a way back into the game. However, they were unable to create any clear-cut chances, and then conceded two quick goals as Red Star took the game away from Sebastian Hoeneß's side by sitting deep and launching counter-attacks. Substitute Radonjić added his second and Red Star's fifth late on to put the seal on their first win in the league stage. Stuttgart remain on four points after five games and have their work cut out for them should they wish to progress through to the next round.

© OLIVER BUNIC

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Denied twice

Rieder's corner and then his cross into the box in the aftermath both find a Red Star head and are dealt with by the home side.

90'

+ 1

Added time

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of the game.

88'

Radonjić has two

The hosts' latest goal comes from another counter. The Red Star attackers work it across the box to substitute Randonjić, who dummies shooting on his right before cutting inside and firing the ball into the bottom-left corner from the right side of the penalty area.

88'

Nemanja Radonjić

GOAL!

5:1

84'

Substitution

Benjamin Boakye

Chris Führich

84'

Substitution

Yannik Keitel

Angelo Stiller

83'

It just won't fall

The ball is tending to get away from the Stuttgart players just are they are shaping to shoot. On this occasion, neither Demirović nor Malanga is able to get a shot away and the ball is eventually cleared.

78'

First opportunity for Malanga

Demirović lays it off to the 18-year-old on the edge of the box, but the area is crowded with Red Star defenders and Malanga is unable to get it out of his feet before he is dispossessed.

77'

Substitution

Guelor Kanga

Rade Krunić

77'

Substitution

Dalcio Gomes

Silas Katompa Mvumpa

76'

Substitution

Leonidas Stergiou

Josha Vagnoman

76'

Substitution

Jarzinho Malanga

Enzo Millot

73'

Scratching heads

After a positive start to the second half, Stuttgart shipped two goals in quick succession and now find themselves trailing Red Star by three. Conceding from a set-piece and a counter-attack in the second half, Stuttgart will be wondering how they have let it slip from being in such a promising position.

69'

Goal with his first touch

Red Star score on the counter. Substitute Radonjić, who has only just come on the pitch, races through on goal and guides it past Nübel with a curling right-footed finish as the hosts score their fourth of the evening.

69'

Nemanja Radonjić

GOAL!

4:1

67'

Substitution

Bruno Duarte

Cherif Ndiaye

67'

Substitution

Nemanja Radonjić

Milson

65'

Two goals to the good

A in-swinging cross from a corner sails all the way to the back post and finds the unmarked Ivanić, who heads it past Nübel to make it 3-1 to the hosts.

65'

Mirko Ivanić

GOAL!

3:1

64'

Nübel denies Ivanić

Red Star get their latest opportunity on the counter. Silas plays it over the top to substitute Ivanić, but Nübel stays big and gets behind the eventual effort as the ball goes out for a corner.

63'

Well over

Nübel saves an initial Red Star effort but parries it into the path of Silas, whose shot on the half-volley goes well over the goal.

61'

No final touch

Demirović meets a cross at the back post and heads it back into the middle. The ball is begging to be turned home by a Stuttgart player, but it can only find a Red Star defender who is then able to clear.

59'

Not far off

Centre-back Chabot tries his luck with a fiery left-footed effort from long range. The ball narrowly whistles past the target and goes out for a goal kick. That would have been some way for Chabot to score his maiden Stuttgart goal!

58'

Substitution

Mirko Ivanić

Andrija Maksimović

58'

Fantastic from Nübel

Ndiaye is through one-on-one on the Suttgart goal and attempts to round the Germany international. However, Nübel times his tackle well to dispossess the attacker and keep his side in the game.

57'

Stuttgart know their task

Red Star are now sitting back, looking for opportunities to counter. The visitors will need to be inventive in order to find a way through the deep-lying defence.

53'

Into the book

The Red Star goalscorer goes studs up into Stiller and receives a yellow card.

53'

Yellow card

Rade Krunić

52'

Counter chance goes begging

Red Star break immediately following Rieder's free-kick, with the final pass played to Silas on the right side of the penalty area. However, Nübel is equal to the winger's driven shot, meaning it remains a one-goal game.

51'

Promising position

A foul on Rieder sees Stuttgart awarded a free-kick approximately 25 yards out from goal, and in a central position. The Swiss steps up to take the set-piece, but only finds the defensive wall.

49'

Couple of half-chances

Stuttgart are demonstrating their attacking intent in the second half. First, Vagnoman drives into the box before shooting, although his effort is unfortunately blocked by teammate Demirović. Stuttgart recycle the ball, and moments later Demirović is involved again, playing through Millot on the left side of the penalty box before the latest Stuttgart effort is blocked by a Red Star defender.

46'

One change at the break

Rieder has replaced Stenzel as the second half kicks off. This change will see Vagnoman shuffle in at right-back as Rieder lines up on the right wing.

Kick-off!

46'

Substitution

Fabian Rieder

Pascal Stenzel

Half-time: Red Star 2-1 Stuttgart

After taking an early lead, Sebastian Hoeneß and his side are a goal down at the break. Ermedin Demirović got Stuttgart off to a flyer with his first UCL goal, but the home side hit back with goals from Stuttgart loanee Silas and Rade Krunić to go in front. The visitors have some work to do should they wish to come away with a result from the Stadion Rajko Mitić.

© Srdjan Stevanovic

Half-time

45'

+ 2

Two quick yellows

Two bad challenges from the Red Star pair see them both go into the book in the final stages of the first half.

45'

+ 2

Yellow card

Cherif Ndiaye

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

There will be a minimum of four added minutes.

45'

Yellow card

Andrija Maskismović

42'

Chance for Millot

The midfielder is played through down the left side of the box via a nice chipped pass, but Millot doesn't strike the ball cleanly and his left-footed shot sails over the frame.

39'

Penalty claims waived away

Mittelstädt feints right after entering the box, and goes down under the challenge of a Red Star defender. The referee decides not to award the penalty on the field, and a VAR check concurs.

35'

Corner for the visitors

Stuttgart get forward for the first time since going behind. A cross into the box is cleared as far as Stiller, whose long-range effort is deflected behind for a corner, which is played short but ultimately leads to nothing.

31'

Hosts lead

A cross into the box finds its way through to the unmarked Krunić, who takes a touch before sending the ball into the top-left corner with a left-footed half-volley from 12 yards out, putting Red Star in front.

31'

Rade Krunić

GOAL!

2:1

28'

Demirović millimetres offside

The Bosnia international is played in behind, charges through on goal and tucks the ball away into the bottom-left corner. However, the linesman's flag goes up once the ball is in the net, and the offside is confirmed by a VAR check.

27'

Going long

A couple of long balls evade Demirović who was looking to get in behind. Stuttgart are showing their adaptability as they search for a way to break down their hosts.

24'

Millot down

After clashing heads with a Red Star player, the Frenchman has stayed down. The referee pauses the game briefly to check all is okay, and now the game can continue.

21'

Pulsating opening quarter

Both sides are already on the scoresheet in what has been a physical and fast-paced opening 20 minutes or so. Stuttgart are seeing more of the ball, but will need to do a bit more in order to fashion a few more chances.

17'

Rouault gets back

A ball over the top picks out Red Star striker Ndiaye, who heads towards goal, but fortunately for the visitors, centre-back Rouault is on hand to nudge the attacker off the ball as it rolls safely into Nübel's gloves.

16'

Reaction needed

Stuttgart's bright start has been cancelled out by that Red Star bolt from the blue. With still plenty of time to play, Sebastian Hoeneß will be hoping his side can recollect and get their lead back.

12'

Silas squares things up

It was a similar action to the one we saw from the Stuttgart loanee at the start of the game. Charging through the VfB midfield, the winger placed the ball into the bottom-right corner with a tidy finish from outside the box to equalise for Red Star, electing not to celebrate against his parent club.

12'

Silas Katompa Mvumpa

GOAL!

1:1

8'

Opening his UCL account

Demirović's well-taken opener was his first goal in the competition. With Stuttgart looking to get back to winning ways in the Champions League, the Bosnia international has picked a great time to score his first UCL goal!

5'

What a start!

Mittelstädt's cross in from the left is headed back across goal by the Red Star defender and into the path of Millot. The Frenchman nods it down to Demirović. The striker hits a powerful effort on the half-volley into the bottom-left corner to give the visitors the lead.

5'

Ermedin Demirović

GOAL!

0:1

2'

Silas registers first shot

The Stuttgart loanee is the first to try his luck against his parent club. Silas drives through the centre of the pitch and has a go from around 30 yards out, but the effort is blocked at source and doesn't trouble 'keeper Nübel.

1'

And we're off!

The game is underway, with hosts Red Star in red-and-white stripes and Stuttgart wearing their black away kit.

Kick-off!

Here come the teams...

Karazor leads the visitors out onto the pitch, and following the Champions League anthem, the stage will be set for things to get going at the Stadion Rajko Mitić.

More on that Stuttgart team

Sebastian Hoeneß has made two changes to the side which began the 2-0 home win over Bochum at the weekend. After having to withdraw from the Germany national team with a muscular issue during the recent international break, Angelo Stiller makes his return to the Stuttgart starting XI in place of Nick Woltemade, who is not in Stuttgart's Champions League squad. Stiller will partner captain Atakan Karazor in central midfield, which allows Enzo Millot to play slightly further up the pitch. Pascal Stenzel has also come in for Leonidas Stergiou at right-back.

© IMAGO/Ralf Poller/Avanti

Red Star starting XI

Guteša - Mimović, Djiga, Spajić (c), Seol - Elšnik, Krunić - Silas, Maksimović, Milson - Ndiaye

Red Star subs

Ilić, Draškić, Ivanić, Kanga, Katai, Duarte, Gomes, Rodić, Leković, Radonjić, Drkušić

Stuttgart starting XI

Nübel - Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Karazor (c), Stiller - Vagnoman, Millot, Führich - Demirović

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Seimen, Keitel, Krätzig, Stergiou, Kastanaras, Boakye, Rieder, Chase, Malanga

Red Star vs German clubs

While this is just Stuttgart's second clash with a Serbian side, Red Star have played a total of 39 matches against German clubs, amassing a record of 15 wins, six draws and 18 defeats. Their most recent outing against a German side was a 2-1 home loss to RB Leipzig in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage.

© IMAGO/Matthias Koch

Jeff Chabot on what to expect in Belgrade

"It will be  a heated game. We don't know exactly what to expect, but we have to play with a lot of courage and win the direct duels."

© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann

Bundesliga alumni

Aside from Stuttgart loanee Silas, the Red Star squad features two players who may be familiar to Bundesliga fans: Miloš Degenek (ex-VfB Stuttgart II, 1860 Munich) and Nemanja Radonjić (ex-Hertha Berlin).

© Boris Streubel/Getty Images

A Stuttgarter in Serbia

There is one Red Star player who will be very familiar to the Stuttgart set-up: Congolese striker Silas, who left Baden-Wurttemburg for Belgrade on a loan deal in the summer. The rangy forward, who has three goals and an assist in the Serbian league this term, could be key according to Hoeneß: "He's a high-speed player who is built for transition football. That will be an important aspect for us to control."

© DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga

Stiller back in the picture

Amid the injury worries comes some good news for Stuttgart, with fit-again Germany midfielder Angelo Stiller (muscle problem) looking solid off the bench in the win over Bochum and a strong chance to start in the middle of the park. This should see creative danger man Enzo Millot moved into a more attacking playmaking role in support of wide men Chris Führich, Fabian Rieder and centre-forward Edin Demirović.

© DFL/Getty Images/Lukas Schulze

Hoeneß on what to epxect in Belgrade

"It's going to be loud, we'll probably see a few flares too. We'll be dealing with a raucous atmosphere," said the Stuttgart boss, who claimed a 0-0 draw at the Rajko Mitić Stadium - aka 'the Belgrade Maracana' - back when he was in charge of Hoffenheim. As for what kind of play to expect from Red Star, he noted: "In the league, they have a lot of possession, in the Champions League they go at it very directly."

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Hoeneß on Chris Führich

"Regardless of who's injured and who's not, Chris is one of the players in our squad who can decide games," said Hoeneß about the Germany attacking midfielder who, in the absence of the likes of Jamie Leweling, Deniz Undav and El Bilal Touré, turned in a decisive performance in the 2-0 win over Bochum and appears to be getting back to his best. "He simply has the individual qualities in one-on-one situations to create goal-scoring opportunities."

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Milojević on Stuttgart

"The club is among the best in one of the best leagues in the world," said Red Star coach Vladan Milojević, while also lauding Sebastian Hoeneß's side as strong opponents with a young, ambitious team. What aspect of Stuttgart's game is he wary of? "From my point of view, their midfield is the key."

Unfamiliar territory

Stuttgart have only faced Serbian opposition on one other occasion - when they beat Partizan Belgrade in what is now the Europa League in the 2008/09 season. Stuttgart won that game 2-0, thanks to a Mario Gomez brace.

Consistency an issue

Stuttgart have lost two, drawn one and won one of their opening four Champions League games, and currently sit 27th in the standings. Their last five Bundesliga games have seen them lose two, win two and draw once. Against second-from-bottom Red Star Belgrade, Stuttgart will hope to get back to winning ways in Europe.

2:03

Watch: VfB Stuttgart 2-0 Bochum - highlights

Justin Diehl scored his first ever Bundesliga goal as Stuttgart secured a 2-0 victory over struggling Bochum.

Stuttgart - the story so far

Stuttgart have four points on the board at the halfway point in the new-format competition. A defeat to holders Real Madrid was followed by a 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague and a spirited 1-0 win against Juventus, but they came unstuck last time out, losing 2-0 at home to UEFA Europa League holders Atalanta.

© IMAGO/Alexander Keppler

Red Star - the story so far

Red Star overcame Bodo/ Glimt in the play-offs, but haven't been able to replicate that performance in the tournament proper. The Serbians have lost their first four games, coming up short against Benfica, Inter Milan, Monaco and Barcelona by an aggregate score of 16-4.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of VfB Stuttgart's fifth UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.

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