VfB Stuttgart got off to a great start to the new year, but it wasn’t enough to win against Union Berlin. Also because a joker scored for Union again. In the end both teams separated 1:1 (0:0).
This means that both Stuttgart and Swabians remain undefeated in the new year. However, VfB missed their third win in a row. It was the third draw in a row for the Berliners.
Chris Führich had put Stuttgart ahead after the break (59′), but Woo-yeong Jeong equalized 20 minutes before the end. This was the sixth time that Steffen Baumgart had substituted a player who scored a goal.
Baumgarts Possession plan
Union coach Steffen Baumgart revealed before kick-off that he wanted to give Stuttgart 70 percent of the ball possession. His plan initially worked. VfB had more ball possession in the first half, although not quite the 70 percent mentioned by Baumgart. It was just under 60 percent.
To do this, his team concentrated on a well-timed pressing, especially from the height, and was always close to the opponents. So the Berliners left the Swabians few options. VfB had a hard time, especially the play on the outside was lame at VfB, where Führich on the left and Vagnoman on the right were initially unable to provide any revival as hoped.
Ilic with a great chance for Union
Vagnoman had a good scene early on, but failed because of Frederik Rönnow. On the other hand, Andrej Ilic could have made it 1-0. After a solo effort, he failed to reach Nübel at the far post.
There wasn’t much to see from Deniz Undav, VfB’s man of the moment – ten goals from the last ten games – except for a shot into the side netting.
Rönnow remains the winner against Undav
After the change, Stuttgart immediately tried to take control of the game. Chris Führich now had much more plans and dug his way into the game. Undav also had a good move (49th), but found his winner again in Rönnow.
Führich with custom work
Ten minutes later Führich found the gap. After a pass from Hendricks, the national player let another Berliner out and shot the ball with centimeter precision into the left corner – a beautiful goal and an unstoppable ball for Rönnow.
But the Führich goal wasn’t enough, because the Berliners also had a good answer from Woo-yeong Jeong.
Stuttgart in Mönchengladbach, Union against Dortmund
Stuttgart will be visiting Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). Union welcomes Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m.).
