Champions League: VfB Stuttgart celebrates victory in Bratislava

A solid performance, especially in the first half of the game, and a brilliant Jamie Leweling gave VfB Stuttgart a deserved 3-1 (2-0) win at Slovan Bratislava. With this success, the Swabians have moved up to a place in the playoffs. In the final phase things got briefly exciting again, but then VfB put the famous lid on it.

To qualify directly for the round of 16, Stuttgart would need to play in their last game against Paris Saint-Germain (01/29/25, 9 p.m.) a win is mandatory, but even then a direct starting place would not be secured.

The Stuttgart team took the early lead through Jamie Leweling (12th minute) against the currently pointless Slovaks, and it was the ex-Union player who made it 2-0 before the break. Deep in the second half, Idjessi Metsoko scored the next goal (85th), but Fabian Rieder calmed the nerves of the VfB fans (87th).

Leweling “very happy” about his first European Cup goals

“Today was a very important game. We actually had to win so that we could have a non-final against Paris next week.”said match winner Leweling, who was also happy about his first two European Cup goals: “I'm very happy.” His offensive partner Deniz Undav, who was humorous as usual, already brought it Ballon d’Or for Leweling into play: “If you have two touches of the ball and score two goals, you deserve it”he joked, and then added praisingly: “He brings us a lot of energy, both front and back.”

Concentrated start from the Swabians

Sebastian Hoeneß's team took their momentum from the perfect start to the year in the league straight to Slovakia. Chris Führich quickly used a pass from Leweling near the left post, but was denied by Slovan goalkeeper Dominik Takac (2nd) from a tight angle and close range. Stuttgart continued to press and was rewarded.

However, this required a bit of luck when Undav took a clearly deflected through ball and passed it across from the left to Leweling, who finished from a center forward position. After that, the Germans continued to dominate the game, but were unable to create any scoring chances.

But when the defensively challenged hosts played a little more courageously forward, Leweling struck for the second time. Takac parried a shot from Enzo Millot, but the ball rolled to the feet of Leweling, who didn't hit the ball properly. The nimble keeper dived after the ball, but couldn't scratch it off the line. The VAR briefly checked the scene, then the goal counted.

Unfocused after the break

With a secure lead behind them, the Stuttgart team wanted to quickly increase the score after the break and secure the win. But Millot narrowly missed a beautiful cross from Maxi Mittelstädt, Undav failed with a lob – and VfB lost concentration.

But Slovan remained weak. Former Nuremberg player Robert Mak made a particular effort, but the VfB defense could not be fooled. Applause erupted among the 22,500 fans in the stadium in the Slovakian capital around the 60th minute when Slovan won the first two corners of the game. But on the one hand, the crosses from the left remained harmless; VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel did the rest.

Mittelstädt misses out, Undav hits the post

From the 65th minute onwards Stuttgart sorted themselves out again. However, VfB missed two top players: first, Mittelstädt shot past Takac unchallenged on a counterattack (65'), and a little later Undav put the ball on the right post. Despite the lead, there was uncertainty among the fourth-place team in the Bundesliga.

In the final quarter of an hour, Bratislava increasingly pressed on the Stuttgart goal, and Nübel had to intervene more seriously. Stuttgart once again missed a great chance through substitute Ermendin Demirovic when he was denied by the strong Takac in a one-on-one.

Events happen rapidly

Shortly before the end, events came to a head: First, Metsoko prevailed well in a fast attack and beat Nübel with a low shot. Just two minutes later, Stuttgart struck back. Rieder, who was also substituted, made an unstoppable shot from a half-right position after the guests kept their nerve in a four-on-two counterattack and Mittelstädt saw Rieder standing free. The victory was no longer in danger even in three minutes of injury time.