Exclamation point in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart turned the game around at 1. FSV Mainz 05 – and in the race with Schalke and Bochum everything is now in their own hands. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’ substitutions were decisive.
Because in the 4-1 (1-1) away win in Mainz, Stuttgart would probably not have turned the game around without joker Chris Führich. On Sunday (May 21, 2023), after being brought in, he first provided an assist for Serhou Guirassy (64th minute) with a corner kick and then single-handedly duped the Mainz defensive department with his own goal (78th).
He later hung up for Tanguy Coulibaly (90+1), another joker. First, Marcus Ingvartsen put the 05s in front (23′) and Wataru Endo equalized for Stuttgart (41′).
Thanks to the win, VfB now have everything in their own hands in the race to stay up with Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum on the last day of the game. Stuttgart (32 points) draws level with Bochum, but has the better goal difference and is ranked 15th.
“The pressure was great. In the beginning I lacked determination”said VfB coach Hoeneß on the sports show microphone. “You can’t be too strict in today’s game and we did a great job at the back.”
Schalke (31 points) slips down to the penultimate place. And for Mainz (ninth place, 45 points) the issue of the European Cup is over after the bankruptcy.
Mainz first more effective, then Stuttgart’s Endo conjures up
It was a tough start. Both teams managed to keep the other away from their own goal. Conversely, that meant that little was going on at the front, there was a lack of creativity and willingness to take risks. Significant: The first quarter of an hour passed without shots on goal.
Then Mainz striker Karim Onisiwo missed the first big chance, VfB goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow parried (22nd). The 05ers then used the corner kick: Edimilson Fernandes found Onisiwo on the second post, who in turn put the ball on for the quick-witted Ingvartsen.
Until then, Stuttgart had actually been responsible for the game design. With almost 60 percent possession of the ball, the Swabians appeared more than twice as often as Mainz in the attacking third – but at a loss. With a bit of luck, however, a counterattack via the dribbling strong Silas Katompa Mvumpa landed on Endo’s foot – the Japanese volleyed fantastically.
Chris Führich turns out to be a top joker
Mainz took over the initiative after the restart. Stuttgart initially found it difficult. And so it was almost logical that only a standard set by VfB turned the game upside down. Because Joker Führich hit a spot-on corner kick after substituting for Tiago Tomás (62nd), Guirassy jumped the highest and headed in.
The Rheinhessen were knocked out after that and only sporadically came dangerously in front of the goal. Instead, Führich made the preliminary decision after a counterattack with an irresistible dribbling and a strong finish. He crowned his performance with another assist for Coulibaly – he had just come on for Silas (86th).
VfB welcomes Hoffenheim, Mainz is a guest at BVB
On the last day of the game, Stuttgart will face the Baden-Württemberg duel against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the heart-stopping relegation final. Meanwhile, Schalke is a blatant outsider for Champions League participants RB Leipzig. And Bochum welcomes Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Mainz is challenged by title contenders Borussia Dortmund (all games on Saturday, 3.30 p.m.).