Stuttgart breeze past Slovan Bratislava to boost UEFA Champions League play-off ambitions

Jamie Leweling scored twice as VfB Stuttgart gave their hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League last-16 play-offs a boost with a 3-1 win away to Slovan Bratislava.

Slovan Bratislava 1-3 Stuttgart
Goals: 0-1 Lewling 12' (assist: Undav), 0-2 Leweling 18' (assist: Millot), 1-2 Metsoko 85', 1-3 Rieder 87' (assist: Mittelstädt)

Stuttgart began the matchday just a point below the play-off zone but, with French giants Paris Saint-Germain their final group-stage opponents, knew anything less than a win here could prove costly. Thankfully, they found themselves up against a Slovan Bratislava team yet to earn a point – and it told from the off. After dominating in the early stages, Leweling broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. A smart move culminated in Deniz Undav squaring across the box to his fellow Germany international, who tucked his shot beyond the goalkeeper expertly. Leweling then doubled his side’s lead in the 37th minute, again punishing inferior opponents for sloppy defending. A sumptuous lofted ball over the defence from Anthony Rouault was brought down by Enzo Millot, whose blocked attempt found Leweling unmarked to slot into an empty net. Wave after wave of Stuttgart attacks followed, with Slovan goalkeeper Dominik Takáč barely managing to keep his side in the game.

The second half saw a more spirited display from Slovan, who fashioned several dangerous counter attacks only to be thwarted by some dogged Stuttgart defending. They weren’t to be kept out completely, however, with Idjessi Metsoko scoring just their sixth goal of the campaign in the 85th minute. Any hopes of a comeback were soon quashed, however, as Fabian Rieder put the game to bed just two minutes later after Stuttgart hit their desperate hosts on the break. The result sees Stuttgart climb into the play-off places, with 10 points from their opening seven games. A massive win in the hunt for a play-off position, but the job isn’t done yet. 

Match stats

• Stuttgart are bidding to reach the Champions League knockouts for the first time since their run to the last 16 in 2009/10. They also made it that far in 2003/04.
• Mario Gomez and Kevin Kuranyi are Stuttgart’s record Champions League scorers with three goals apiece.
• VfB have now faced Slovakian opposition seven times to date, winning five and drawing two. They beat Bratislava 1-0 away in 2010/11 UEFA Europa League qualifying, before drawing 1-1 in Stuttgart.
• Robert Mak scored six goals in 76 Bundesliga appearances for Nuremberg - his first professional club - between 2010 and 2014.
• Kevin Wimmer, meanwhile, represented Cologne (from 2012 to 2015) and Hannover (2018/19). The Austrian made 54 Bundesliga appearances and 45 in Bundesliga 2.
• Slovan have lost all seven of their Champions League games this season.

Teams

Bratislava: Takáč - Blackman (Medveděv 89'), Kashia (c), Wimmer, Zuberu (Barseghyan 71') - Bajrić, Savvidis (Mustafić 82') - Tolić - Mak (Metsoko 70'), Strelec, Marcelli (Gajdoš 89')
Unused subs: Mikoláš, Trnovský, Voet, Mateáš, Pauschek, Vojtko, Szöke
Out: Kucka (knee)
Coach: Vladimír Weiss 

Stuttgart: Nübel - Vagnoman (Stergiou 91'), Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Keitel (Al-Dakhil 81'), Stiller - Leweling (Rieder 70'), Millot (Stenzel 90'), Führich - Undav (c) (Demirović 70')
Unused subs: Bredlow, Seimen, Karazor, Chase, Malanga, Bujupi
Out: Diehl (hamstring), Nartey (knee), Raimund (thigh), Touré (foot), Woltemade (ineligible), Zagadou (knee)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

As it happened!

1 - 3

(0 - 2)

Slovan

FINAL

Stuttgart

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 7 League phase, Matchday 7 Národný futbalový štadión, Bratislava

Full-time: Slovan 1-3 Stuttgart

The referee brings the game to an end, as Stuttgart bag all three points in the Slovakian capital.

© Christian Hofer

89'

Four minutes added

Slovan look exhausted and would gladly end the game now. Their spirit has been broken by that Rieder goal.

87'

Rieder puts the game to bed

Slovan push too many men forward in search for an equaliser and leave themselves open at the back. Stuttgart launch a counter and Rieder, who is picked out expertly by Mittelstädt alone in the area, fires beyond a helpless Takáč to all but kill the game off.

87'

Fabian Rieder

GOAL!

1:3

85'

Goal!

Metsoko halves the deficit with a cool finish beyond Nübel just inside the box. It's just their sixth goal in as many games this campaign. Game on!

83'

Demirović fluffs his lines

It could be 5-0 by now, as Demirović squanders another gilt-edged chance to score. A superb one-on-one save from Takáč, after ther striker cut inside his defender to get a clear shot at goal, prevents the scoreline worsening.

81'

Substitution

Ameen Al-Dakhil

Yannik Keitel

78'

Shot on target for Slovan

Barseghyan makes an instant impact on the stats, if not the scoreline, cutting inside onto his left foot and giving Nübel a simple save to make.

74'

Just wide from Demirović

A sumptuous cross from the left finds Demirović, who beats his own team-mate to the header but can only steer it wide. How have Stuttgart not scored a third by now?

71'

Substitution for Slovan

Zuberu makes way for Barseghyan.

70'

Substitution for Slovan

Mak makes way for Metsoko.

70'

Substitution

Ermedin Demirović

Deniz Undav

70'

Substitution

Fabian Rieder

Jamie Leweling

68'

Undav hits the post

A cross to the back post finds the head of Undav who, challenged by his marker, can only guide his effort onto the foot of the post. Stuttgart should be home and dry by now.

67'

Should be three!

Slovan are undone by a simple pass, which finds Undav onside and unmarked with a clear run at goal. He goes with the unselfish option, squaring it to an also-unmarked Mittelstädt. The latter fails to beat the 'keeper when scoring looked easier.

Plain sailing so far

Stuttgart are 2-0 up in the Slovakian capital thanks to a brace from Jamie Leweling.

© TOMAS BENEDIKOVIC

62'

Slovan attack again

Slovan launch another counter, this time down the left. Mak races in behind the Stuttgart defence but Leweling busts a gut to get back and poke behind for a corner. Excellent defending from the goalscorer.

61'

Yellow card

Yannik Keitel

60'

Stuttgart on the back foot

Stiller is robbed on the edge of his own area, after Slovan press high. The ball is worked to striker Marcelli, with space in the box, whose shot from a tight angle is blocked. Better from the home side.

59'

Trio of corners for Slovan

After none in the first half, the Slovakians get three corners in a row early in the second. They're cleared without much fuss on each occasion.

54'

Yellow card for Undav

The forward is booked for a lunging challenge on the edge of Slovan's area and appears to have hurt himself a little in the process. He'll try to limp that off.

54'

Yellow card

Deniz Undav

50'

Undav shoots just over

Stiller picks out Undav on the edge of the Slovan box. He sends a deft lob towards goal but it's just over. The referee the blows for offside anyway.

47'

Stuttgart go close

Mittelstädt gets in behind the defence and whips a vicious ball across the area. It's just behind Stiller, who can't adjust, and rolls away from danger.

46'

Peeeep!

Slovan get us back underway at Tehelné Pole Stadium.

Half-time: Slovan 0-2 Stuttgart

It's been a breeze for Stuttgart, who have scored twice through Jamie Leweling and dominated in just about every aspect of the game. Hoeneß has witnessed his side enjoy 66 percent of the ball and fashion 13 chances to Slovan's sole effort.

© IMAGO/MICHAL FAJT,ZOSPORTU.SK

Half-time

45'

+ 4

Leweling should score

Stuttgart take a 12th corner of the half, which the goalkeeper punches away. It's swung back across to Führich, who lobs a ball to the back post where Leweling awaits. No hat-trick for the German, though. His header goes wide of the near post.

45'

+ 2

Stuttgart cry penalty

Stuttgart break down the left through Führich, who feeds the ball inside to Millot. The Frenchman drives forward before sliding a ball into the feet of Undav, inside the box. Undav is clattered by a defender but the referee says no foul.

45'

Four minutes of added time

The fourth official signals another 240 seconds of toil for Slovan.

42'

Stuttgart out for blood

Half-time approaches but the away side want more. They're by far the stronger side and look to get the ball forward at every opportunity. Slovan hanging on.

37'

Too easy for Stuttgart

Rouault lofts a delicious ball over the Slovan defence, where it's brought down by Millot. His shot is blocked by the goalkeeper, but only as far as an unmarked Leweling, who has an empty net to shoot at. His effort is soft enough to give the goalkeeper a chance, but the latter only manages to skid into the net along with the ball.

37'

Jamie Leweling

GOAL!

0:2

30'

Yellow card for Slovan

Captain Kashisa goes in the book for a rough challenge on Undav on the edge of the Slovan box. The resulting free kick, from a dangerous area, hits the wall.

29'

Stuttgart reassert dominance

The away side have enjoyed 70 percent possession so far in this match, fashioning six attempts to Slovan's one. Hoeneß can be satisfied with what he's seen so far.

26'

Yellow card for Stuttgart

Rouault is booked for a foul on Strelec.

26'

Slovan go close

Slovan have their first real counter, with Strelec released in behind the Stuttgart defence. Rouault brings him down near the edge of the area. Strelec takes the resulting free kick but it goes just over.

23'

Leweling shoots over

A rampant Stuttgart are pulling their opponents all over the place right now. Leweling receives the ball wide n the right before unleashing a vicious shot. It's too high, though.

21'

Corners galore

Stiller has just taken the the game's NINTH corner, with little over 20 minutes played. You get the feeing we might see a couple of goals via this method.

19'

Odd defending

Stiller fizzes in another dangerous corner, which is headed high into the air and then subsequently hoofed even higher by another defender. The goalkeeper gratefully collects it when it drops a third time.

15'

Movers and shakers

As things stand, Stuttgart move up to 20th in the Champions League table. Teams placed between ninth and 24th will reach the play-offs.

13'

GOAL!

Stuttgart get off the perfect start through Leweling, who who tucks the ball beyond the goalkeeper from inside the Slovan box. Brilliant play from Undav, who collects a loose ball before squaring across the area to his team-mate. Leweling is under pressure, but he manages to finish expertly.

12'

Jamie Leweling

GOAL!

0:1

10'

Corner chaos

Stiller fizzes in two of his trademark corners in quick succession. The first is headed behind, while the second is punched the same way.

7'

Stuttgart on top

From his own half, Chabot sends a homing missile over the Slovan defence, where Undav collects. His touch is slightly heavy, though, and Takáč pinches it off his toe.

4'

Game paused

Zuberu goes down with a head injury and is treated on the field by a doctor. He's judged to be safe to continue.

2'

Early chance

Millot feeds a side rue pass through the area to Führich, who gets a shot away. The angle is tight, however, and Takáč parries behind for a corner. Electric start from Stuttgart.

Peeeeeep!

Stuttgart get us underway in the sub-zero Slovakian capital. A huge night for the visitors in their quest for qualification.

Stuttgart team news

Hoeneß makes five changes to the team that defeated Freiburg 4-0 at the weekend. Chabot and Mittelstädt return for Al-Dakhil and Hendriks in defence. In midfield, Keitel and Führich join Stiller and Leweling, with Karazor left out. While Millot is pushed up behind striker Undav. Demirović and Woltemade make way.

Slovan starting line-up

Takáč - Blackman, Kashia (c), Wimmer, Zuberu - Bajrić, Savvidis - Tolić - Mak, Strelec, Marcelli

Slovan subs

Mikoláš, Trnovský, Voet, Barseghyan, Mateáš, Medveděv, Mustafić, Pauschek, Gajdoš, Vojtko, Szöke, Metsoko

Stuttgart starting line-up

Nübel - Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Keitel, Stiller - Leweling, Millot, Führich - Undav (c)

Stuttgart subs

Bredlow, Seimen, Al-Dakhil, Demirović, Stenzel, Karazor, Stergiou, Chase, Rieder, Malanga, Bujupi

A thorn in Stuttgart's side?

Dávid Strelec is the only Bratislava player so far to have scored more than one goal in the Champions League this season; scoring against Dinamo Zagreb and away at Atlético Madrid. Can he be the difference for the hosts against Sebastian Hoeneß' men...?

© JAVIER SORIANO

Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Slovan Bratislava

"[This competition] is top priority, top level. The Champions League is a wonderful journey for us and we’d like it to continue for a while longer," offered the Stuttgart boss, whose side are just a point shy of the play-off places, before discussing the dangers they will face in their Matchday 7 clash in Slovakia. "Bratislava's main strength is their ability in transition. It'll be important for us to be very well organised in terms of our positioning to prevent counter-attacks."


© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Vladimír Weiss on facing Stuttgart

"Just like Real Madrid or Manchester City, Stuttgart has its flaws. But they like to control the game and have the quality to do so. They play very modern football. We need enthusiasm and must approach the game with boldness. We want to earn our first points in this competition, and we need to pull off an upset to do so. For us, facing Stuttgart is a festive occasion and it's an honour to play against last season's Bundesliga runners-up, followed by closing out the group stage against Bayern Munich."

© IMAGO

Happy Hoeneß

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß has every reason to smile with his team coming back from the winter break with three wins in the space of a week (against Augsburg, Leipzig and Freiburg). "We’re on the right track and want to keep going," the 42-year-old coach said ahead of his side's trip to Slovakia.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Slovan down and out

The Slovakian champions are playing for pride this week after a 3-1 reverse against Atlético Madrid ended their European hopes for this season. Slovan are one of three teams who have failed to register a point in the league phase and will conclude their tournament after the Stuttgart encounter with a game at Bayern Munich.

© IMAGO/900/Cordon Press

Undav in full flow

Fully fit again following a hamstring tear that saw him miss 11 games for club and country, Stuttgart's Germany international Deniz Undav has managed two goals and an assist in his three Bundesliga games since returning to action.

© IMAGO/Michael Weber IMAGEPOWER

Confidence high

VfB are currently positioned 26th of the 36 teams in the Champions League table and following a 5-1 victory against Young Boys on Matchday 6, are in contention to make it into the tournament play-offs for a spot in the Round of 16.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

2:03

Stuttgart bouncing back

It seems a long time since VfB suffered that morale-sapping 5-1 reverse in Belgrade against Red Star. The result sparked an important reaction from the Swabians, who have since won seven of their last nine games in all competitions to get their season flying. Tuesday's visitors' latest victory came against Freiburg at the weekend.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of VfB Stuttgart's seventh UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday.

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