Champions League
Clap: Stuttgart goes down in the “Hell of Belgrade”.
Updated on November 28, 2024Reading time: 2 minutes
After a few minutes, VfB Stuttgart took the lead in Belgrade. But after that things went steeply downhill for the Swabians in the Serbian cauldron.
Ermedin Demirović gave the German runner-up the lead in the 5th minute. But the hosts equalized a short time later thanks to VfB loanee Silas Katompa Mvumpa (12th). Rade Krunić (31′), Mirko Ivanić (65′) and Nemanja Radonjić (69′ and 88′) then scored the decisive goals for the hosts. There were malicious “goodbye” chants from the Red Star fans in the Serbian “Marakana” stadium.
VfB had to do without some of its expected 2,400 fans. They had turned around in their buses on the way to Belgrade and driven back to Stuttgart – according to media reports, because of disproportionately strict police controls at the Serbian border. Those in the stadium were allowed to cheer early.
Demirović, who was particularly in focus as a Bosnian international in the duel with the Serbs, ended his goal drought and gave the guests a dream start. After a header from Enzo Millot, the attacker scored halfway into the left corner – it was his first goal for VfB since the beginning of October and his first ever in the Champions League.
The early lead could have given Stuttgart security, but instead the quick equalizer threw them off guard. Winger Silas won the ball against Millot, marched off and scored with a well-placed low shot. The Congolese had stated before the game that he would like to return to the German runners-up next summer. Instead of celebrating, he raised his arms apologetically after his goal.
As a result, VfB made a number of inaccuracies in the build-up to the game and also did not defend consistently enough. That was punished. A cross from the left flew into the box and Krunić hit the ball under the crossbar. Shortly before, another goal from Stuttgart’s Demirović had been disallowed due to a very slight offside position (28′).
VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß reacted during the break and replaced Pascal Stenzel on the right with Fabian Rieder. The Stuttgart team came out of the locker room full of energy, but were then countered several times. Silas stumbled and shot the ball right into the arms of Alexander Nübel (52′). Shortly later, the VfB keeper was challenged again and took the ball off the onrushing Cherif Ndiaye’s foot (58th).
The national goalkeeper was powerless to counter Ivanić’s header from a corner, and just four minutes later Radonjić made it 4-1 for the Serbs with a low shot. The disappointing VfB were beaten – and Radonjić even went one better.