The Baden-Württemberg state duel had barely kicked off when VfB Stuttgart scored twice. An early red card for the sports club also played into the Swabians’ hands.
Deniz Undav (3rd minute) and Chris Führich (7th) gave VfB Stuttgart an early lead at the Europa Park Stadium in Freiburg. Freiburg also had to play outnumbered for a long time because Merlin Röhl (18th) was shown the red card after a hard foul. Nevertheless, they fought their way through a goal from Lukas Kübler (45th + 11th) – but had to admit defeat 1:3 (1:2) after a remarkable lob goal from Maximilian Mittelstädt (74th).
It was the sports club’s second home defeat this season. Freiburg remain seventh for the time being with 28 points. VfB, on the other hand, was able to celebrate on a foreign pitch after three away defeats in a row and thus cracked the 40-point mark. The Stuttgart team consolidated third place and are on course for the Champions League (three points ahead of Borussia Dortmund).
“We slept through the beginning, then it will be difficult,” said Freiburg’s Maximilian Eggestein afterwards.
Claus-Peter Hufer, Sportschau, February 3rd, 2024 6:38 p.m
Undav and Führich shocked SC Freiburg early on
Just three minutes had been played when VfB striker Deniz Undav continued where he left off against Leipzig (three pack). After a remarkable through ball from Waldemar Anton from his own half, he finished precisely from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0 (3rd minute). It was Undav’s 13th goal of the season. He is currently the most accurate German striker.
Andreas Köstler, Sportschau, February 3rd, 2024 6:32 p.m
Just a few minutes later, Undav impressively demonstrated that he can also provide goals. After a pass from Chris Führich, he set the winger in the spotlight with a pass. Führich pushed the ball with his right into the left corner (2:0, 7th minute). Führich’s goal was the 45th goal of the season for VfB Stuttgart – the same number he had in the entire previous season.
Freiburg’s Röhl is sent off with a red card
Anyone who thought at SC Freiburg that things couldn’t get any worse was mistaken. SC midfielder Merlin Röhl hit Stuttgart’s left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt hard with an open sole between the ankle and shin. Röhl, who arrived late, was justifiably shown a red card after 18 minutes. Early in this game, memories of the first leg, which VfB won 5-0, were brought back.
The VfB, the injured Dan-Axel Zagadou (outer ligament injury and torn cruciate ligament in the right knee) was replaced by Leonidas Stergiou (starting eleven debut), dominated the action and created further chances until half-time. However, Millot (14th and 33rd), Josha Vagnoman (36th) and Atakan Karazor (39th) missed out. the third hit. Overall, the game lost a bit of its rhythm, also due to many harder fouls.
More surprising Connection hit of the sports club
In the eleven minutes of stoppage time in the first half (reason: a long break in the game due to protest from the fans), Freiburg surprisingly came close again. After a corner from Vincenzo Grifo, Lukas Kübler rose up and headed the score 1-2 (45th + 11th). VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel had left his goal, but misjudged himself and was therefore unable to punch the ball away.
Patrick Schmidt, Sportschau, February 3rd, 2024 7:38 p.m
Freiburg courageous, VfB tried to control the game
This seemed to inspire Freiburg. They came out of the locker room with momentum and had the chance to equalize through Maximilian Eggestein. His shot only hit the side netting (52′). But VfB also remained dangerous. Undav’s attempt after a fine pass from Millot flew over the goal (55th). As in the first half, the game had to be interrupted because fans threw objects onto the pitch in protest against the planned investor involvement in the DFL.
Christan Günter celebrates a comeback, but Stuttgart scores
Stuttgart then tried to let the ball run and decide the game with the third goal. The Freiburg team kept the game open with a lot of effort. In the 73rd minute it got loud in the Freiburg Arena: SC captain Christian Günter made his comeback after a five-month injury break. However, the good mood was dampened just a few seconds later: Maximilian Mittelstädt, cleared by Undav, lofted the ball into the goal from an acute angle to make it 3-1 (74′). Undav was directly involved in all three goals.
Claus Peter Hufer, sports show, February 3rd, 2024 6:44 p.m
Explosive and wild final phase
In the ten minutes of stoppage time in the second half, Freiburg’s Michael Gregoritsch had the chance to make the game exciting again. But VfB defender Anthony Rouault was able to clear his header off the line. Nübel also saved VfB from another goal with a great deed against Eggestein. It was the last spectacular scene of an explosive national duel, which ended much later than usual due to the long interruptions in both halves of the game.
SC Freiburg will be guests at Borussia Dortmund next matchday (Friday, February 9th, 8:30 p.m.). VfB Stuttgart welcomes 1. FSV Mainz 05 (Sunday, February 11th, 3:30 p.m.). Before that, the Swabians will face Bayer 04 Leverkusen away from home in the DFB Cup quarter-finals (February 6, 8:45 p.m.).
Broadcast on Saturday, February 3, 2024, 2:00 p.m., stadium, SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
