VfB Stuttgart deservedly won their away game at TSG Hoffenheim 3-0 on Saturday evening and can continue to dream of the Champions League.
VfB Stuttgart’s 3-0 win was never in danger. TSG Hoffenheim made too many mistakes and seemed impressed by the Swabian enthusiasm. Enzo Millot gave VfB the lead (16th minute), Serhou Guirassy increased shortly before half-time (45th + 1) and Jamie Leweling (68th) made the decision. With 56 points, VfB is four points behind Bayern Munich in third place in the table. TSG Hoffenheim is eighth in the table with 33 points.
Happy faces and good atmosphere at VfB Stuttgart
“The team is simply awesome,” said striker Deniz Undav enthusiastically about his teammates after the confident victory, in which he helped, among other things, with two assists. The VfB goals showed how coordinated the third-place team is at the moment: “As soon as I’m about to get the ball, Enzo knows what I’m doing,” said Undav. VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß was also completely satisfied after the game: “It felt like a home game, the scenery was enormous and extraordinary. The first half was one of the best we’ve shown so far,” said the coach.
Enzo Millot gives Stuttgart a deserved lead
In front of a crowd of more than 10,000 Stuttgart fans among the 30,000 in the sold-out Hoffenheim Arena, the guests dominated the opening phase. Deniz Undav, who was one of four Stuttgart players called up for the national team during the week, missed his first good chance in the seventh minute. His shot went past the right post. Sebastian Hoeneß’s team continued to apply pressure and then took the lead in the 16th minute. Serhou Guirassy passed it to Undav and he in turn fed the oncoming Enzo Millot, who just had to push in.
Even after taking the lead, the Swabians continued to dominate the game. Millot and Guirassy had further chances to extend Stuttgart’s lead. In the 25th minute, 21-year-old Millot got past 19-year-old Tim Drexler, who was in TSG’s starting line-up for the first time, and shot from a tight angle – just wide. Guirassy also narrowly missed with his shot from around 18 meters.
Stuttgart continues to dominate and extend its lead
VfB once again impressed with a lot of enthusiasm. Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team was more than busy with defensive work. TSG’s offensive efforts mostly ended in midfield. David Jurásek had the first and only shot on goal for Kraichgauer before the break with a shot from around 25 meters. However, VfB keeper Alexander Nübel was there (44th minute).
A few minutes later, Waldemar Anton stopped Hoffenheim’s attack at the halfway line and deliberately initiated Stuttgart’s move. The ball ultimately found its way to Undav, who fed Guirassy with a pass. The goalscorer increased the score to 2-0 (45th+1).
Hoffenheim has no ideas – Stuttgart scores again
After the break, Stuttgart briefly had to worry about Waldemar Anton. The defense chief grabbed his left thigh after a sprint, but was able to continue playing. Shortly before his substitution, Deniz Undav could have given VfB a bigger lead. This time Chris Führich passed through to Undav, who, however, failed to get past TSG keeper Baumann. Jamie Leweling then replaced the two-time assist provider Undav and joined the scorers list with his goal to make it 3-0 (68th minute). Hoffenheim couldn’t properly clear a corner from Führich and Leweling made the decision.
Hoffenheim had a little more possession of the ball in the last 20 minutes and Andrej Kramarić hit the crossbar after a counterattack in the 74th minute. Ultimately, they had no chance against the Swabians.
Ann-Kathrin Rose, Sportschau, March 16, 2024 9:24 p.m
Power struggle at VfB: fans show banners
It is the 18th win this season for VfB Stuttgart after a nerve-wracking week in which the quarrels at the top of the club escalated. First, President Claus Vogt was voted out of office as chairman of the supervisory board. Then first the 54-year-old and then other committees gradually spoke up.
How divided the club is despite the success this season was also shown by the request from the AG’s board published on Friday, which called for “everyone to stand close together.” In Sinsheim, some of the fans also clearly showed their anger. They felt betrayed, wrote it on a banner and called on the people involved on another banner to “correct the mistake” – including an ultimatum of two weeks.
Hoffenheim near Leverkusen, Stuttgart in a duel against Heidenheim
After the international break, TSG Hoffenheim have to play against league leaders Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday, March 30th at 3:30 p.m.). Stuttgart welcomes FC Heidenheim next matchday (Sunday, March 31st at 5:30 p.m.).