VfB Stuttgart stun Bayer Leverkusen with dominant victory in Champions League showdown
Sebastian Hoeneß' Stuttgart swept Bayer Leverkusen aside in a one-sided Matchday 33 affair courtesy of a stunning offensive display from the likes of Ermedin Demirović and Deniz Undav which leaves the Swabians' hope of Champions League qualification in their own hands heading into the final matchday of the campaign.
VfB Stuttgart 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Goals: 0-1 García 1’ (assist: Kofane), 1-1 Demirović 5’ (assist: Nartey), 2-1 Mittelstädt 45’+7 (pen.), 3-1 Undav 58’ (assist: Leweling)
The stakes could hardly have been higher at a sold-out MHP Arena on Saturday afternoon. With Stuttgart, Leverkusen and Hoffenheim all level on 58 points heading into Matchday 33, this was a straight shootout for a coveted Champions League spot.
Hoeneß made four changes to his side, bringing in Ermedin Demirović, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Nikolas Nartey and Chema Andrés, whilst Kasper Hjulmand made just one alteration for Leverkusen, with Christian Kofane replacing the injured Nathan Tella.
The match burst into life almost immediately. Within 43 seconds, Leverkusen had the lead. Ibrahim Maza picked Ramon Hendriks' pocket at the halfway line and played it to Kofane, who teed up the onrushing Aleix García. The Spaniard rushed into the box and guided the opener past Alexander Nübel at the near post. A dream start for Hjulmand's men - but Stuttgart were not disheartened for long.
Stuttgart's response was swift and emphatic. A long ball from Nübel set the Swabians in motion, and a slick one-two between Demirović and Nartey carved open the Leverkusen defence. Demirović drilled home the equaliser past Mark Flekken from close range in the fifth minute to make it 1-1.
Stuttgart dominated the remainder of the first half, creating chance after chance. In the 24th minute, Führich cut the ball back to Demirović on the edge of the six-yard box, but Edmond Tapsoba threw himself in front of the shot to make a crucial block.
Demirović continued to torment the Leverkusen backline, forcing Flekken into a superb save in the 43rd minute. The Stuttgart striker had six shots in the first half alone, yet the score remained level heading into stoppage time.
The decisive moment of the first half arrived not long after, though. Demirović went down in the Leverkusen box following a challenge from Tapsoba, and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.
Mittelstädt stepped up and coolly chipped a panenka down the middle, sending Flekken the wrong way to make it 2-1, allowing Stuttgart to go into the break with a deserved lead.
The second half began at the same breathless pace. Stuttgart had a goal disallowed early on - Demirović slotting home a rebound, but a VAR review ruled out the effort for offside against Undav.
The Swabians were not deterred, however, and continued to press relentlessly. Stiller tested Flekken from range, Mittelstädt attempted an audacious chip, and Jeff Chabot saw a header clawed away from the top corner by the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
The third goal wouldn't arrive until the 58th minute, however. Nartey dispossessed Patrik Schick on the halfway line, played it to Demirović, who sent Jamie Leweling racing up the right flank. Leweling's cross was deflected but still found Undav, who had made a perfectly timed run to the back post. The Stuttgart captain then slotted home past Flekken from close range to make it 3-1 with his 19th Bundesliga goal of the season.
Leverkusen attempted to mount a comeback, with Hjulmand introducing Malik Tillman and Arthur at the hour mark, and later Eliesse Ben Seghir. However, the visitors rarely threatened Nübel's goal, managing just four shots on target across the entire match and Stuttgart held on comfortably to claim a vital three points.
Man of the Match: Ermedin Demirović
Demirović was the standout performer on the day and was voted Man of the Match with 51 per cent of the vote. The Bosnian forward scored Stuttgart's equaliser in the fifth minute, won the penalty that led to the second goal, and was a constant menace throughout, registering six shots in the first half alone.
He won 16 challenges - the most of any player on the pitch - and his relentless pressing and physicality caused Leverkusen's defence problems all afternoon. He was the top-ranked Stuttgart player in the fantasy manager standings with 340 points.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Stuttgart 3.28 - Leverkusen 0.50
Fastest player: Arthur (Leverkusen), 34.93 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Aleix García (Leverkusen), 20 percent
Most pressed player: Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), 17 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), +3.25
Fantasy Heroes: Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart, 340 Points), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart, 311 Points), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart, 269 Points)
