Course of the game:
As the boys from Cannstatt walked onto the field,their fans passionately chanted “Stuttgart is coming!” From the start there was a loud crowd in the MHP Arena. Sebastian Hoeneß must have been happy about that: “Floods and a sold-out house with our fans on our side have to compensate for the shortest regeneration time,” said the head coach before the game, because of the DFB. Tuesday’s cup win in Regensburg (3-0) and Friday’s Bundesliga clash against Union Berlin at the start of the 13th game were just two full days apart. In addition, the 42-year-old changed his starting eleven to six positions compared to his appearance during the week.Alexander Nübel, Maximilian mittelstädt, Josha Vagnoman, Leonidas Stergiou, Atakan Karazor and Ermedin Demirovic – Fabian Bredlow, Ramon Hendriks, Pascal Stenzel, Yannik Keitel, Fabian Rieder and Nick Woltemade first sat on the bench.
VfB controlled – and repeatedly sought depth. Chris Führich and Josha Vagnoman were sent on their way with passes, but Union was able to clear the running duels. The first real chance? It was a long time coming. the Berliners defended smartly and showed why they conceded the second fewest goals in the league so far.In the 24th minute, Ermedin Demirovic shot from about 14 meters, but it was just offside. The game and its duels took place mainly between the penalty areas. In the 37th minute, the Union took advantage of their first risky attack and took a 1-0 lead (see “The Goals”). Even after that, VfB couldn’t find a way to score goals. Consequently, the boys from Cannstatt were 0-1 behind at the break in an overall odd affair.
Nick Woltemade brings energy, the game becomes very casual
Change? Yes, once. Nick Woltemade came on for Leonidas Stergiou - and he had to watch first as the Berliners extended their lead to 2-0 in the 48th minute. A cross from half the pitch went into the far corner. The substitute striker then made his appearance and scored in the 51st minute with teammate Ermedin Demirovic to make it 1-2. The game: open now, fast pace, sometimes hectic. And then Nick Woltemade hit again. This time, in the 59th minute, captain Atakan Karazor put him in a great position and the 22-year-old fired the ball into the right corner to make it 2-2.
Again VfB caught up and equalised, this time even after a 0-2 win. what happened next? quickly. Union’s Tim Skarke failed at the side netting; On the other side, Maximilian Mittelstädt shot from 20 meters, but Frederik Rönnow parried.There was still 25 minutes left. For both teams, because the encounter – warning: cliché - was on a knife’s edge.
Atakan Karazor intercepts a bad pass, then the VfB defense is in possession
the boys from Cannstatt kept the pace high and pushed deep into the opponent’s half. As an inevitable result, Berlin keeper Frederik Rönnow made a bad pass, wich captain Atakan Karazor used to make it 3-2 in the 69th minute. VfB had turned the game around – a huge display of energy. The game was going straight into town.
Stuttgart now tried to calm things down and gain control. Mostly with success. And when the crossbar saved the game when Jordan’s header was in danger. In addition, Jeff Chabot and Ramon Hendriks entered the game for Chris Führich and Anthony Rouault – fresh forces for the VfB defense. Together, VfB threw themselves into the duels, headed Berlin’s crosses out of the danger zone – and also skilfully took some free time once or twice. It was enough, it worked – 3-2, a home win against the Union. Deserved success due to the meaningful increase in performance in the second half.
The goals:
37.Moment: András Schäfer from the Union can play cipball from the penalty area.
48. Moment: The next target surrendered the “skuril” brand. A cross from Robert Skov is sent from the right half of the field through the penalty area and goes into the far corner – 0:2.
51. Moment: VfB answers. Ermedin Demirovic plays Nick Woltemade free,who dribbles around Union keeper Frederik Rönnow and slots in to make it 1-2.
59. Moment: Dream passport by Atakan Karazor – dream discoveries by Nick Woltemade. The striker again holds his nerve in front of Frederik Rönnow and sinks the ball into the right corner. Equalizer, 2:2!
69. moment: VfB press high and force Union keeper Frederik Rönnow into a bad pass.Atakan Karazor intercepts the ball, reacts quickly and goes ahead to 3-2. Yes!
Special episode:
During the second half, a medical emergency occurred in the visitors’ block. Both fan camps then stopped supporting. The person received immediate medical attention and was then taken to hospital. VfB wishes you a speedy recovery as well.
Special features:
“Thank you to the volunteers” – this is the message sent by vfb and its professionals just before the start. Through the campaign which is supported by the DFB and DFL, the club would like to sincerely thank all those who work voluntarily in football and highlight their unparalleled commitment.
Atakan Karazor scored his first bundesliga goal. With the winning goal to make it 3-2, he also chose a very special moment for him.
Nick Woltemade scored his first Bundesliga brace for VfB. In total he has three goals in the current competition.
The boys from Cannstatt scored in each of them over the seasons 28 Bundesliga home games under Sebastian Hoeneß.
Next games:
In the new week, VfB will be challenged first in the UEFA Champions League. On Wednesday (December 11, 9 pm) the boys from Cannstatt will host Switzerland from Young Boys Bern. The Bundesliga continues on Sunday (December 15, 3:30 pm) – Stuttgart will visit 1. FC Heidenheim on matchday 14.
What were the key tactical changes Stuttgart made after going 2-0 down against Union Berlin?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on the Recent VfB Stuttgart Match
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone! I’m here with football expert Dr. Oliver Becker,who has been following the Bundesliga closely. The recent match between VfB Stuttgart and Union Berlin was quite the spectacle. Oliver, let’s dive right in. How did Stuttgart’s approach to the game play out given the short turnaround from their cup win?
Dr. Oliver Becker (DOB): Thanks for having me! Stuttgart’s approach was quite tactical, especially considering they had just come off a demanding cup victory against Regensburg. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß emphasized that the passionate support from fans would be crucial in compensating for their limited recovery time. His decision to rotate six players from the previous match showed that he was trying to manage fatigue while still fielding a competitive team.
TNE: Indeed! The fans seemed to bring an unbelievable atmosphere, but the match started slow in terms of goal-scoring opportunities.what do you think contributed to that?
DOB: The first half was definitely a tactical game, with lots of duels in midfield and both teams focusing on defensive solidity. Union Berlin has one of the best defensive records in the league, which played a huge part in stifling Stuttgart’s attempts to find depth. It wasn’t until the 37th minute that we saw a real breakthrough when Berlin capitalized on a risky counterattack. The goals were slow to come, but that was mostly due to both teams being cautious and valuing defensive structure.
TNE: After Stuttgart went down 1-0, they made a game-changing substitution with nick Woltemade. How did his entry influence the match?
DOB: Woltemade had a remarkable impact instantly. His energy and pace helped shift the dynamics of the game. He scored just minutes after coming on, which really energized the team and the crowd. His ability to find space and strike effectively showed his potential, and that was crucial. Bruno that Stuttgart could equalize and ultimately even pull ahead in such a quick timeframe is a testament to both the mindset of the players and effective substitutions.
TNE: Speaking of changes, Stuttgarts’ resilience in bouncing back from 0-2 down highlights a lot. What do you believe it says about the team’s mentality?
DOB: It speaks volumes about their fighting spirit and self-belief. Throughout the Bundesliga season, you often see teams lose confidence after conceding multiple goals, but Stuttgart showcased an incredible resolve. They don’t seem to buckle under pressure, and that mentality could be vital as they push for a higher league standing. The team’s character is a promising sign for the future, as they seem to have the capability to recover quickly, even when the odds stack against them.
TNE: With this match wrapped up, what do you think the implications are for both teams moving forward?
DOB: For Stuttgart, this match indicates that they can compete with higher-ranked teams and that they possess the tools to come back in tough situations. It will instill confidence going into future matches. On the other hand, for Union Berlin, while the defense is solid, they need to convert their chances better to maintain their position in league standings. The loss of their early lead might act as a wake-up call that they need to be more aggressive in securing wins rather than relying solely on their defensive capabilities.
TNE: Great insights, Oliver! It’s been a pleasure discussing this thrilling encounter. Would you care to share any final thoughts?
DOB: Absolutely. The Bundesliga continues to be unpredictable and exciting, and this match is a perfect example of that. It’s a reminder that in football,you can never count a team out,and every game can tell a different story. Fans should definitely keep their eyes on Stuttgart and their journey this season!
TNE: Thank you,Dr. Becker. We’re looking forward to more thrilling matches ahead!