Champions League
Stuttgart fails at the bulwark – concern for DFB star
Updated on November 6, 2024 – 11:03 p.mReading time: 3 min.
VfB found it difficult to get into the game. Shortly after the restart came the shock. But the Stuttgart team didn’t give up.
VfB Stuttgart suffered a 0-2 (0-0) defeat against Atalanta Bergamo on the fourth matchday of the Champions League and is now worried about the next round. Sebastian Hoeneß’s team found it difficult to get into the game in their own stadium on Wednesday evening. After the restart there was a shock: Ademola Lookman prevailed in the penalty area after good preparatory work and scored for last season’s Europa League winner (51st minute).
The following Stuttgart attacks were unsuccessful. Instead, Bergamo struck again: Nicolò Zaniolo scored shortly before the end to make the final score (88th). This means that the Swabians are in 25th place in the table after four games.
National player Deniz Undav also had to be taken out of the game after 55 minutes. The offensive player sat on the ground for a long time and signaled that things weren’t going any further. “It pulled into the muscle,” reported sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth after the game.
The late 1-0 win at Juventus Turin two weeks ago gave the Stuttgart team a boost for their further international tasks. But they have to wait for their first home win in the premier class in almost 15 years. Bergamo, on the other hand, remained unbeaten for the fourth time and without conceding a goal on matchday four of the league phase.
The first half had few real highlights but was still entertaining. Especially in the lively opening phase it was clear that there were two teams on the pitch who knew what to do with the ball and were looking for playful solutions. The recently injured defense chief Jeff Chabot was available to VfB again, but initially sat out. The young Anrie Chase once again represented him properly in the defensive center.
Atalanta has already scored 29 league goals this season. Caution was always advised, especially with the technically strong offensive trio with the 27-year-old Lookman, the new signing Mateo Retegui and the 70-time Croatian international Mario Pašalić. At one point before the break the ball almost landed in the VfB goal, but defender Maximilian Mittelstädt saved with a great tackle against Pašalić (31′).
Anthony Rouault missed Stuttgart’s best chance in the first 45 minutes with a header (11th). The Frenchman might have preferred to let the cross pass to the even better positioned El Bilal Touré, who has been on loan from Atalanta to VfB since the summer. If there was contact between Touré and Bergamo’s Davide Zappacosta, the Swabians would have liked to get a penalty. Referee Rade Obrenović from Slovenia waved it off (33′).
Shortly before the half-time whistle, Undav shot into the side netting from a tight angle (45th). Former Schalke player Sead Kolašinac, who has been playing in Bergamo since July 2023, had already left the pitch at that time due to a thigh injury (13th).
They proved again at the beginning of the second half how strong the Lombards are and what quality they can bring from the bench. Joker Charles De Ketelaere broke through surprisingly effortlessly down the right side, fed Lookman - and he scored from close range to make it 0-1. Just five minutes later, Stuttgart’s substitute Ermedin Demirović was just prevented from equalizing.
VfB tried until the end, but ultimately their actions were not compelling enough. On the other side, De Ketelaere tested Stuttgart’s national goalkeeper Alexander Nübel again with his head (73′) before Zaniolo scored with a low shot to make it 0-2.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome! Today, we’re diving into VfB Stuttgart’s recent match in the Champions League against Atalanta Bergamo. It was a challenging game for Stuttgart, ending in a 0-2 defeat. Can you share your thoughts on how Stuttgart performed overall?
Football Expert: Absolutely! Stuttgart had a tough time getting into the match. Early on, they seemed cautious and struggled to seize control. Their defensive setup looked shaky, especially with Atalanta’s quick and technical attacking trio, which put them under constant pressure. Despite some promising moments in the first half, they just couldn’t capitalize, and their inexperience at this level became evident.
Time.news Editor: Interesting! You mentioned their attacking failures. Deniz Undav, a key national player, had to leave the game due to an injury. How significant do you think this was for Stuttgart’s performance?
Football Expert: Undav’s departure was crucial. He brings creativity and experience to the attack, and losing him just after the restart disrupted Stuttgart’s momentum. It’s worrying, especially when you consider their current league standing—25th place after four games in the Champions League. The team needs all their key players fit if they want any chance of progressing further.
Time.news Editor: You noted that Stuttgart took a boost from their recent victory over Juventus. Do you think that victory potentially raised expectations too high for this match?
Football Expert: It’s possible. That win might have instilled a sense of confidence, but the reality of facing a team like Atalanta, which is well-drilled and technically proficient, is a different challenge altogether. When expectations rise, the pressure to perform can lead to mistakes, and unfortunately for Stuttgart, that’s what we saw on Wednesday.
Time.news Editor: Stuttgart’s defense has been a topic of discussion as well. With Jeff Chabot returning from injury but starting on the bench, how did this impact their defensive strategy?
Football Expert: Chabot’s absence from the starting XI was felt. They relied on Anrie Chase to fill in, and while he showed promise, he lacks the experience Chabot would have provided against such a seasoned attack. Atalanta exploited this, particularly in transitions. Stuttgart’s defense looked fragile, especially after conceding the first goal.
Time.news Editor: Looking ahead, what do you think Stuttgart needs to focus on to improve their chances in upcoming matches?
Football Expert: They need to work on their defensive organization and maintaining possession under pressure. Getting creative players back from injury will help, but tactical adjustments are crucial too. They must take lessons from this defeat – find a balance between defensive discipline and offensive ambition. And, importantly, the mental aspect of the game will be vital as they face potentially more daunting challenges ahead.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights! It’s clear that Stuttgart has a difficult road ahead, but with the right adjustments, there’s always a chance for recovery and improvement. We look forward to seeing how they tackle their next challenges.