After a mistake by Alexander Nübel, it looked like the next defeat for VfB Stuttgart – but then Nick Woltemade came along and initiated the 3-2 (0-1) win against Union Berlin with a brace (51st/59th). . Danilho Doekhi (37′) and Robert Skov (48′) had previously given the guests a comfortable lead, while Atakan Karazor (71′) made the VfB comeback perfect.
The game in Stuttgart was very tense from the start – and exactly how Union wanted it to be. As expected, VfB were in control, but were unable to penetrate dangerous areas at all. Berlin actually had the more dangerous actions, after a corner Leopold Querfeld (9th) had the only long opportunity of the game.
Doekhi celebrates thanks to great help from Nübel
That sort of slipped out of the Stuttgarters’ hands – especially Nübel. The VfB goalkeeper let a harmless and central header from Danilho Doekhi roll over his fingertips into his own goal (37′). Shortly afterwards, when Tim Skarke had a chance, Nübel didn’t seem completely confident (40th).
“I was a bit involved in us falling behind. Normally I intercept the ball, but it somehow slips through me. It was a nice Friday evening after all, the boys did very well.”said Nübel afterwards in the Sportschau interview.
But when things weren’t going well, you could give him credit for the fact that the people in front of him – especially from the offensive department – didn’t do much better than him, and the first half was correspondingly disappointing. The only remotely dangerous moment came from Ermedin Demirovic, who lobbed the ball just past the goal after a pass from Enzo Millot, although it was said to have been just offside (22′).
The double Woltemade counters Union
After the break everything quickly seemed to point to an extremely unsatisfactory evening for Stuttgart, because a cross from Skov slipped into the far corner to make it 0-2 and this time Nübel had no chance because Rani Khedira narrowly missed the cross (48). But then the game turned completely around – thanks to Woltemade, who came on as a substitute in the second half.
In the 51st minute, Demirovic passed the ball to the U21 international, who played first to Frederik Rönnow and then, with strong nerves, converted it to VfB’s goal. Eight minutes later, Woltemade made excellent use of a pass from Atakan Karazor and, after a great reception and take-away, poked the ball past Union keeper Rönnow – the equalizer for Stuttgart (59th).
Michael Bollenbacher, Sportschau, December 6th, 2024 10:49 p.m
Rönnow puts the lead on Karazor
And ten minutes later, VfB completely turned the game around. Like Nübel, his counterpart Rönnow also made a mistake, whose failed pass Karazor used directly as an assist for Stuttgart’s opening goal (69th).
Berlin had previously had one of the best defenses in the Bundesliga and now gave up a 2-0 lead within 18 minutes. But Union also came close to succeeding in the direct counterattack, but Jordan Siebatcheu failed to hit the crossbar from close range (71′).
Hoeneß’ Champions League decision takes revenge
In the final phase the game calmed down – and so did the mood in the stadium. The reason for this was a medical emergency in the stands, after which both fan camps largely stopped singing.
Perhaps this is also why Union failed to ignite the necessary fire for their own comeback and could no longer threaten the Stuttgart goal. And so Woltemade became VfB match winner again after his top performance in the DFB Cup against Jahn Regensburg (goal and assist in a 3-0 win).
However, his coach Sebastian Hoeneß is unlucky that he cannot use his good form for the Champions League game on Wednesday (December 11, 2024) against Young Boys Bern – Woltemade was not registered for the competition.
Stuttgart in Heidenheim, Union Berlin against Bochum
Stuttgart have to play Heidenheim in the league next week (December 15th, 5:30 p.m.). Union Berlin is challenged against VfL Bochum (December 14th, 3:30 p.m.).