VfB Stuttgart celebrated a commanding first win of the season on the first matchday of the Bundesliga. The Stuttgart team won 5-0 (2-0) against VfL Bochum, who seemed lethargic at times, even without captain Wataru Endo, who had moved to Liverpool at short notice.
Serhou Guirassy (18th) and Dan-Axel Zagadou (38th) put Stuttgart on the road to victory in the first half. Silas Katompa Mvumpa (59th, 67th) increased with a brace. Guirassy (76th) made it 5-0.
Second setback for VfL Bochum
VfL Bochum, on the other hand, has to digest the second blow to the neck early in the season. Last weekend, Bochum were eliminated from the DFB Cup by third-division side Arminia Bielefeld.
VfL almost got off to a lightning start. Christopher Antwi-Adjei staged Philipp Hofmann, who held Zagadou at bay but then pushed the ball wide of the goal. Alexander Nübel, on loan from Bayern Munich in the Stuttgart goal, didn’t have to grab it.
Guirassy hits hard
It was to be VfL’s last dangerous move for a long time, as VfB controlled the game from then on. In the 18th minute, Stuttgart’s dominance was reflected on the scoreboard. Hiroki Ito played perfectly into Guirassy’s run from midfield, who heaved the ball into the goal from 16 meters. VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann had no chance to defend himself.
Stuttgart kept the pressure on with the lead behind them. It should have been 2-0 after 37 minutes, but Woo-yeong Jeong, new signing from FC Bayern II, was stopped two meters from goal by a player from Bochum.
Zagadou heads in unchallenged
But it was 2-0 after 38 minutes, because Zagadou headed the corner from close range in the goal. Two players from Bochum were no longer able to bother the central defender at the near post. Jeong should have scored again shortly before the break, but Riemann sensationally parried his shot from seven meters out.
Even after the change of sides, VfB remained the dominant team. Guirassy (48th) and Chris Führich (55th) already had the 3-0 on their feet. But then came VfL again. Takuma Asano fired from an acute angle and forced Nübel to make his first save in a VfB jersey.
Silas makes everything clear
A revolt of Bochum? No. Because the decision was made in direct return. Führich brought the ball to the back post from the left. Silas didn’t have an opponent and easily pushed in to make it 3-0 (59′).
Bochum now visibly gave up. Stuttgart, on the other hand, continued to enjoy the game. Pascal Stenzel crossed into the penalty area in the 69th minute. The Bochum defenders did their job and let Silas score freely from ten meters to make it 4-0. And it got even worse for VfL. Guirassy scored after 76 minutes after a pass from Stenzel to make it 5-0 – again without much resistance.
Stuttgart versus Leipzig, Bochum versus Dortmund
On the 2nd matchday, Stuttgart is challenged in Leipzig (Friday, August 25th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). One day later, Bochum welcomes the guests from Dortmund (3:30 p.m.).