VfB Stuttgart has landed the hoped-for liberation in the basement duel of the Bundesliga and aggravated the situation of competitor Hertha BSC. The Swabians won against the Berliners 2-1 (1-1) in the last second and got some air in the relegation battle. For Hertha, however, the situation with only a meager eleven points before the end of the year is becoming increasingly precarious. A home win against Cologne on Saturday is almost mandatory.
VfB got off to a flying start: Serhou Guirassy took the lead in the third minute. Dodi Lukebakio equalized with his seventh goal of the season (19th). Konstantinos Mavropanos (90+8) scored the acclaimed winner.
Stuttgart’s interim coach Michael Wimmer thus achieved the third Bundesliga win in five games. Before the game in Leverkusen, he collected further arguments for continued employment. How things will continue in terms of coaching at VfB will be decided during the winter break.
Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz sent the same eleven into the race that had stood up to FC Bayern at times in the 2-3 draw on Saturday. However, the start in Stuttgart was not very edifying. After a great pass from Tiago Tomas right into the interface of the Hertha chain, Guirassy finished free-standing and ice cold.
A lively game then developed in which Silas missed VfB’s great chance to make it 2-0 (16′). That was to take revenge: Almost in return, Lukebakio used a positional error by Waldemar Anton at the far post after a cross from Jonjoe Kenny to make it 1-1.
VfB seemed stricken for a while. The attack effort lacked accuracy and determination. Hertha had no trouble keeping Stuttgart at bay. However, the Berliners hardly took the initiative going forward. A header from Davie Selke after a corner kick was the only chance.
The Swabians only increased the pressure again shortly before the break. But Hertha keeper Oliver Christensen saved his team from falling behind again when Hiroki Ito headed the ball.
VfB stays on the trigger, moment of shock for Wataru Endo
After the change, Stuttgart initially kept the pressure on – without becoming dangerous. However, Hertha was also good, so that Stuttgart’s dangerous wingers Borna Sosa and Silas could only rarely put themselves in the limelight.
After a good 70 minutes, the game became more open. First, VfB defender Konstantinos Mavropanos saved Lucas Tousart’s shot on the line, while Guirassy Christensen tested at the other end.
The game was overshadowed by a clash shortly before the end between Wataru Endo and Ivan Sunjic. The Japanese was briefly unconscious and had to be carried into the cabin on a stretcher.