VfB Stuttgart will have to wait for their first Bundesliga victory under Bruno Labbadia. Two converted penalties by Vincenzo Grifo resulted in a 1:2 (1:0) defeat at SC Freiburg.
Chris Führich put VfB ahead with a shot from around 25 meters into the left corner (30′). Grifo equalized in the second round with a penalty kick (60′) and decided the game with another penalty (84′). Stuttgart’s Dan-Axel Zagadou fouled both times. The 1:2 was Stuttgart’s third defeat in the fifth Bundesliga game under new coach Labbadia, and the 57-year-old still has to wait for a win. And VfB’s away misery continues: VfB have not been able to win 20 Bundesliga away games in a row.
Bredlow in goal at VfB Stuttgart
There was bad news for Stuttgart even before the kick-off: Fabian Bredlow had to come in for regular keeper Florian Müller, who was temporarily out due to gastrointestinal problems. Müller, however, had to take a seat on the bench despite his discomfort, because VfB did not have another goalkeeper who had traveled to Freiburg alongside Bredlow and Müller. The injured goalscorer Serhou Guirassy was represented by Luca Pfeiffer. Borna Sosa and Dan-Axel Zagadou started from the start after their injury breaks.
Freiburg without coach Streich on the sidelines
In Freiburg there were two changes compared to the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup at SV Sandhausen (2-0). Mark Flekken returned between the posts and Ritsu Doan replaced Woo-Yeong Jeong. Coach Christian Streich had to follow the game in front of a screen in the stadium. Because of his yellow-red suspension he was not allowed to enter the interior and was not allowed to contact the team. Lars Voßler coached the team.
Both teams with a concentrated early phase
Both teams started concentrated and well organized. Freiburg tried to control the game and had the first opportunity (11′) when Roland Sallai appeared after a through ball behind the VfB defense and shot a right to the left corner. Bredlow parried easily.
Dream goal by Stuttgart’s Chris Führich
Stuttgart managed to largely prevent Freiburg’s offensive game, but initially remained harmless in their own attack. Until Chris Führich (30th) got the ball in midfield, led it a few meters and then shot from around 25 meters into the left angle to make it 1-0 for the Swabians. Just four minutes later, Führich almost followed up with a flick from the left, but his shot flew two meters wide of the Freiburg goalpost on the right.
Doan’s equalizer doesn’t count
Freiburg were hesitant in the first half and played too many bad passes in their offensive actions. They wanted to change that after the break to score the equalizer. And that seemed to work right away. Doan’s deflected shot (50th) from the edge of the penalty area into the right angle was untenable for Bredlow, but was withdrawn after video evidence because Michael Gregoritsch had previously been just offside.
Grifo scores a penalty to equalize
Freiburg put pressure on, seemed more determined than in the first half and then were awarded a penalty after video evidence. Gregoritsch was hit on the ankle by VfB defender Zagadou. Grifo’s shot into the bottom left corner equalized (60′) – Bredlow had guessed the corner but couldn’t get close.
Stuttgart didn’t let that deter them and once again had a good opportunity through Führich. The 25-year-old received a high ball well and shot it from around eight meters. But his shot flew to the left of the goal (70th). Above all, Führich kept Freiburg in trouble.
Second penalty kick decides the game
Around ten minutes before the end of regular time, Freiburg again called for a penalty kick. Zagadou hit Doan lightly in the foot. Referee Sascha Stegemann saw the scene and let it continue. Then the video referee intervened, whereupon Stegemann watched the duel again on the screen and finally decided on a penalty. Grifo coldly converted into the top right corner to make it 2:1 (84th). In added time, Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa hit the crossbar with a free kick – but it wasn’t enough to equalize.
