A question of effectiveness
Up until the break, the FCA defense was literally blocking further Stuttgart shots. And the Stuttgart rush was finally rewarded: A free kick from Borna Sosa reached Anton, who headed in, which is well worth seeing.
But the jubilation promptly fell silent when the simply more effective Augsburg set the scoreboard back to FCA leadership. Gregoritsch got a wonderful pass from Arne Maier and scored from a central position in the box to make it 2-1. Significant: Augsburg only needed five shots for two goals, while Stuttgart needed 14 for one goal.
VfB dominates the action – but does not convert it
After the restart, the picture was unchanged. VfB Stuttgart combined handsomely, but also struggled. Augsburg defended one wave after the other and only sporadically set accents with fast switching games.
Despite all the pressure, Stuttgart lacked the last precision and consistency. So that coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team got stuck time and time again on the Augsburg defense bulwark. All in all, compelling chances remained scarce – VfB had to take credit for that.
Marmoush free-kick gives Stuttgart equalizer
But then: After nothing seemed to go out of the game anymore, Marmoush flicked a wonderful direct free kick into the corner and equalized for Stuttgart. As a result, Kalajdzic and Führich could have secured the win (80th).
But someone else took over: After a free kick from the left, Marmoush shoveled the ball through the penalty area. The ball somehow slipped through to Tomás, who pushed in to loud cheers from the VfB fans.
Next relegation duel for Stuttgart, FCA receives Wolfsburg
On the upcoming 28th matchday, VfB Stuttgart has to play another direct relegation duel against Arminia Bielefeld (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.). FC Augsburg welcomes VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday (3.30 p.m.).