With Jamie Leweling in top form, VfB Stuttgart has taken an important step towards the knockout phase of the Europa League. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team deservedly won 4-0 (2-0) against the Go Ahead Eagles from Deventer.
It was the first international away win of the season for VfB, who now have nine points after five games.
National player Leweling scored twice for the enthusiastic Swabians (20th/35th minute). Bilal El Khannouss (59′) and Badredine Bouanani (90’+3) were also successful scorers against the Dutch cup winners. Stuttgart is now unbeaten in four games in a row across all competitions.
Many VfB fans travel back before the game
There was an unusual sight in the stands at De Adelaarshorst. After trouble when the bus arrived, numerous VfB fans started their journey home well before the game. Organized support as usual from the ultras was not available for the Stuttgart team in the stadium with its corrugated iron charm in the middle of the residential area.
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Hoeneß decided not to rotate on the pitch after the 3-3 draw in Dortmund. Only Ramon Hendriks and Atakan Karazor were added to the starting line-up. And the guests were in good shape right from the start in the Dutch drizzle. Stuttgart repeatedly played quickly in depth.
Stuttgart’s strong left side
Maximilian Mittelstädt and Leweling in particular caused alarm on the left. With his first great chance, Leweling overlooked the better positioned Lorenz Assignon and was denied by Jari De Busser in the Go Ahead Eagles goal. Then the German international did it better. After a mistake by the hosts, VfB played it quickly and was worth seeing. Deniz Undav substituted Leweling and the 24-year-old made it 1-0.
And Stuttgart continued. Angelo Stiller sent Leweling steep. The turbo dribbler from around 18 meters made it 2-0 with a low shot into the left corner.
El Khannouss makes the decision
After the break, the hosts initially got into the game a little better. But they weren’t really dangerous in front of Alexander Nübel’s goal.
With the third goal, VfB finally decided the game. Undav passed it to El Khannouss in the penalty area and the 21-year-old made it 3-0. In stoppage time, Bouanani even went one better.