Three days after the bitter elimination from the Europa League, VfB Stuttgart showed an outstanding reaction in the Bundesliga.
Led by goalscorer Deniz Undav, the Swabians dominated FC Augsburg 5-2 (3-0), especially in the first half, and impressively underlined their ambitions for a Champions League place by jumping to third place.
Undav was the leader of an energetic Stuttgart offensive with his goals 17 and 18 this season. After the national striker made it 1-0 in the 12th minute, Tiago Tomás (29th) and Nikolas Nartey (31st) made things clear early with a double strike. Referee Felix Zwayer took back a penalty for Stuttgart after video evidence (45th).
VfB delights its fans
Fabian Rieder’s Augsburg 1:3 (57th) was promptly countered by Undav in return (58th). VfB delighted their supporters in the sold-out Augsburg Arena. The hosts at least showed morale, substitute Anton Kade scored to make it 2-4 (71′). However, VfB put the final point through ex-Augsburg substitute Ermedin Demirovic (83′).
There was no sign of dejection after the 2-0 loss at FC Porto among coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s well-harmonized team. Hoeneß made five changes to the starting eleven. The freshness was good for his team. And Augsburg? It was – after the 1:2 in Leipzig and the 0:2 in Dortmund – the third defeat in a row against a top team. It was only when the Stuttgart team got more tired that they came up with their successful offensive actions.
But in front of 30,660 spectators, VfB were more awake, faster, more determined – and above all very efficient. Augsburg had no access defensively. The Stuttgart team repeatedly ran down the left side with the strong dribbler Chris Führich. Undav also benefited from this twice.
The Bundesliga’s second-best goalscorer after Harry Kane stayed cool with his goals in the penalty area. It was a recommendation to national coach Julian Nagelsmann before the upcoming international matches against Switzerland and Ghana, in which Undav will be there again.
“Deniz is in outstanding form. I don’t think Julian seriously considered leaving him out,” Hoeneß told DAZN before kick-off. Undav’s current goal rate is truly World Cup ready.
Stiller to the national team?
Angelo Stiller also impressed in midfield with his wide range of action. The 24-year-old could still be nominated by Nagelsmann, as Bayern professional Aleksandar Pavlovic will probably miss a trip to the DFB team due to a muscle injury. There was no confirmation from the association on Sunday evening. As was the case in Porto, the injured Jamie Leweling, who was nominated for the international matches, was missing from the VfB squad.
But the winger’s loss was not a handicap. The Stuttgart offensive around Undav, Führich, Tomás and Nartey swirled at will. The Augsburg defense was hopelessly overwhelmed for over 90 minutes.
