VfB Stuttgart’s soaring continues: The Swabians won relatively easily against Union Berlin – and thus moved closer to FC Bayern.
VfB Stuttgart remains the big surprise team of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. On Friday evening, coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team won confidently 2-0 (1-0) against Union Berlin and thus secured third place in the Champions League.
But that’s not all: With 53 points from 25 games, Stuttgart are moving ever closer to second-placed FC Bayern Munich (54 points). VfB coach Hoeneß has been considered a possible new addition for several weeks.
However, before the game against Union, in which Serhou Guirassy (19th minute) and Chris Führich (65th) ensured the final score, he extended his contract in Stuttgart (read more about this here).
That’s how the game went
The Stuttgart team, where the ailing captain and defense chief Waldemar Anton initially sat on the bench and was substituted in the second half, was lucky early on with a Berlin chance through Yorbe Vertessen (3rd). Afterwards they took control in front of 53,800 spectators. VfB let the ball run, Union chased a lot.
Enzo Millot missed the 1-0 when he hammered the ball over the goal (12′). A mistake by Alexander Nübel in the build-up to the game almost put the Swabians behind, but the goalkeeper made a strong save against Schäfer (16th).
A fine move finally gave VfB the deserved lead: Atakan Karazor played the ball into Guirassy’s path – and the Guinean scored ice-cold into the left corner. It was the national striker’s 21st league goal this season. The whole of Stuttgart wants the 27-year-old to do the same as his coach and stay beyond the summer.
The 41-year-old had recently been repeatedly discussed as a possible successor to Thomas Tuchel, who will be leaving Bayern Munich after this season. But Hoeneß, who has transformed Stuttgart from a near-relegation team into a contender for the premier class since taking office in April 2023, does not see his mission over yet.
In stoppage time in the first half, Hoeneß saw his team almost increase their lead to 2-0. However, Vagnoman failed due to the strong reaction of Union keeper Frederik Rönnow.
The first minutes after the break belonged to the guests. Lucas Tousart (48th) and Kevin Volland (49th) tested VfB keeper Nübel. Afterwards – as in the first round – the Stuttgart team took command again. A nice shot from Führich into the right corner made it 2-0. It was the winger’s seventh league goal this season.
After Schäfer was sent off, the game was decided. The Hungarian hit his opponent Vagnoman in the knee with an open sole. The decision still seemed harsh, and as a result VfB confidently achieved its 17th win of the season.