Jeltsch out early
© Imago
Thanks to the two new additions Badredine Bouanani and Bilal El Khannouss, VfB Stuttgart celebrated a successful start to the Europa League. With 2: 1 (0: 0) the DFB Cup winner defeated the Spanish first division team Celta Vigo. Bouanani and El Khannouss rewarded the Swabians in the second half with their goals (51st and 68th minute) for a dominant appearance in front of 58,000 spectators.
Borja Iglesias (86. )’s late goal was not enough for the guests. Next Thursday, Stuttgart can add to FC Basel International. The SC Freiburg, the second German representative, successfully started the competition against the Swiss Doubles winner (2-1).
With the cup victory in the final against Bielefeld, VfB had put on a moderate season in May and qualified for the Europa League for the first time since 2012/13. “We get the European Cup this time” stood on a banner in the Stuttgart fan curve before the kick -off. However, this was still not a benchmark for such ambitions for the Swabians, which had been eliminated in the champions of the Champions League eight months ago.
Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel started with an lack of concentration when he didn’t hit the ball properly and he ended up with the opponent. However, the guests did not use the error to lead (3rd). Then the Bundesliga team determined the game and mostly held the game far away from their own goal.
VfB Stuttgart, despite the chances, goalless in the halftime
The changed defensive series, without defense chief Jeff Chabot, but with the striking Ramon Hendriks, had a good grip on the offensive of the Spaniards. A little changed at first when VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß had to change in defense in the mid-first half. Finn Jeltsch left the field slightly limp, Luca Jaquez came for him.
On the offensive, the Swabians missed in the first half to convert their superiority into goals. Chema Andrés, who had again preserved the preference in front of captain Atakan Karazor in the defensive midfield, failed early with a header. Jamie Leweling’s margin remained safe (9th). At the long -range shot of Lorenz Assignon, goalkeeper Ionuț Radu prevented the 1-0 for VfB (38th).
Goalkeeper Nübel with a template for the management of VfB Stuttgart
Shortly after the change, the keeper was beaten. Bouanani outsmarted the Radu, who had been walking out, to deserve a guided tour. The pass came directly from Nübel from the edge of his own.
Like playmaker El Khannouss, wing players Bouanani should make up for the farewell to Nick Woltemade and Enzo Millot. El Khannouss led the corner, which led to 2-0, and successfully completed the penalty area border after a double pass with Angelo Stiller. In the 2-0 against FC St. Pauli last Friday, he was successful for VfB for the first time and now scored one after the other in the second game.
According to the connection goal of the former Leverkusener Iglesias, after a ball loss in the construction game through the talented Karazor, the Stuttgart fans had to tremble again. In the end, however, they could celebrate.
