Status: 31.08.2024 17:32
VfB Stuttgart still has to wait for its first win of the season. The furious home game against Mainz 05 ended in a draw despite a two-goal lead.
VfB started brilliantly and exploited the gaps in Mainz’s defense with icy coldness. Enzo Millot (8th minute) and Jamie Leweling (15th) shocked the guests early on. After Nadiem Amiris’ goal (43rd, penalty), the 05ers sensed their chance – and equalized in the second half through Jonathan Burkardt (62nd). Shortly before the end, the Swabians scored the 3:2 after a free kick from Fabian Rieder (88th minute) and believed they had won. But Mainz struck back in injury time (90th+4) to make it 3:3 through Maxim Leitsch. VfB remains without a win so far, Mainz are unbeaten after the 1:1 against Union Berlin.
Good start for VfB – Millot scores
Three minutes had been played when Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav tried from a distance. Mainz keeper Robin Zentner was able to deflect the fluttering ball for a corner – and that too was dangerous: Undav took a shot in the penalty area, Zentner dived to the right and parried the ball again.
Undav was also instrumental in the next scene. Freed up on the right, he shifted the play to the left, where Chris Führich appeared free in front of Zentner. The 05ers’ goalkeeper again made a strong save, but Millot was able to effortlessly slot the rebound home to make it 1-0 for the Swabians.
Mainz off the roll – Leweling increases
Mainz seemed overwhelmed in defence and was lucky a few minutes later that Undav did not make it 2-0. After a combination with Millot, the striker took a shot from around 18 metres, but it was just saved. A little later, a shot from Millot from a tight angle just missed the goal.
After a quarter of an hour, the dominant Swabians increased their lead. 05 defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen underestimated a long ball from VfB keeper Alexander Nübel, jumped under him and then let VfB winger Leweling go alone towards the goal. Leweling smashed the ball into the net with force to make it 2-0. And that was a good thing for Mainz in the first half, because VfB created further opportunities.
Amiri scores with a penalty
But then, out of nowhere, the 05ers had two opportunities. First, Jonathan Burkardt failed to beat VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel after a through pass from a few meters. Then Amiri tried a long-range shot, which Nübel was again able to parry brilliantly.
The guests managed to equalize before the break. Amiri scored from the penalty spot. Millot had previously touched Burkardt’s right heel with his left hand as he was leaving the penalty area. Burkardt accepted the contact and fell – a tough decision.
VfB pushes for third goal – Mainz equalizes
Even after the break, the spectators in Stuttgart saw a lively match. A few minutes after the restart, Millot, set free by Undav, failed to beat Zentner with the outside of his foot from close range. As in the first half, the Mainz goalkeeper showed his class time and again. He also parried a long-range shot from Leweling well.
VfB dominated, but Mainz scored the goal. The 05ers combined on the left side through the VfB penalty area and Burkardt headed in after a cross to make it 2:2 (62′).
Furious final phase
From then on, the game became more open, with both teams having chances. In the 71st minute, Burkardt put Mainz in the lead. However, his goal to make it 3-2 was disallowed because the striker was in a very close offside position.
VfB brought in new offensive players and new momentum with the arrivals of Ermedin Demirovic and El Bilal Touré. El Bilal Touré’s cross landed at Millot, who was unable to put the ball in the goal from three meters. He flicked it past Dominik Kohr, who was able to clear it.
When it looked like a draw, VfB newcomer Fabian Rieder took a free kick. The shot bounced off the left post, off Zentner’s back and into the goal. Stuttgart celebrated their renewed lead, but actually conceded the equalizer in injury time after a header from Leitsch. After a cross from Phillipp Mwene and a header from Silvan Widmer, he ran through and scored the 3:3.
VfB fans cheer before the game
Before the match, VfB announced that left-back Maximilian Mittelstädt had extended his contract, which ran until 2026. The national player signed until June 30, 2028. So the Swabian fans had every reason to be happy, at least before kick-off.
These are the next tasks
After the international break, VfB will face Borussia Mönchengladbach away (14 September). Mainz will host Werder Bremen (15 September).
Broadcast on Sat., 31.8.2024 14:00, Stadium, SWR1
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