Europa League
©IMAGO
Led by Bilal El Khannouss and Deniz Undav, VfB Stuttgart celebrated the much-needed sense of success in the Europa League with late goals. The offensive players became the celebrated match winners in the hard-fought 2-0 (0-0) against Feyenoord Rotterdam. In the 84th minute, El Khannouss saved the Swabian DFB Cup winners with a header under the crossbar. Undav (90+1) made the final score in stoppage time.
After two away defeats in a row in the Europa League, coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team came under pressure. The pressure threatened to increase with a draw. With now six points from four games, the Swabians have ultimately improved their starting position in the race to qualify for the knockout round, as hoped.
In three weeks, the Stuttgart team can follow up with their next Dutch competitor, Go Ahead Eagles Deventer. This Sunday they want to make a successful comeback in the Bundesliga at home against Augsburg after their recent 3-1 defeat in Leipzig.
The 60,000 fans, including more than 3,000 Feyenoord supporters, who marched to the stadium accompanied by a large police presence, saw a slow start. A competitive German-Dutch encounter developed in which the big goal scenes were a long time coming.
With inaccuracies and ball losses, VfB made the task against the Dutch league leaders more difficult. Numerous nicks on both sides often interrupted the flow of the game. In front of the goal, Undav’s header and long-range shot were far too harmless in the opening quarter of an hour. The hosts failed to challenge former Schalke goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, who was born in Karlsruhe.
But the 16-time Dutch champion was rarely dangerous. A few minutes before half-time, however, the hosts were lucky when Goncalo Borges slipped in the penalty area and missed the chance to take the lead. Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel had previously had to intervene against Anis Hadj Moussa (13th).
In defense, VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß was forced to make a change to the starting line-up at short notice and had to replace Luca Jaquez with adductor problems. This meant that Maximilian Mittelstädt moved to the left position in the back three. Josha Vagnoman, who was not initially planned for the game, took over the more offensive role on the left.
At the break, Vagnoman had to make way for national player Jamie Leweling. Even after the break, things continued to be heated and with several interruptions in the game. However, VfB increasingly resisted the draw and had better opportunities to score. El Khanouss initially failed because of Wellenreuther (58th), Undav missed the 1-0 goal (69th).
When it seemed like it would be a goalless draw, El Khannouss made it even better. After a cross from Lorenz Assignon, the summer transfer made the VfB fans cheer. Undav then made everything clear.