0:2 at VfB Stuttgart – Union Berlin remains winless against top teams
imago images/Press photo Rudel
Audio: rbb24 Inforadio | 08.03.2024 | Detlev Lindner | Image: imago images/Pressefoto Rudel
It was the third attempt this season to defeat VfB Stuttgart. It was the third defeat for 1. FC Union Berlin. The guests certainly had their chances of achieving at least a draw.
- Only 30 percent possession of the ball for Union
- Still enough chances for at least one goal
- Similar to against Dortmund, there was a lack of efficiency
- Andras Schäfer with the second red card of his career
At the start of the 25th matchday in the Bundesliga Union Berlin lost 0:2 (0:1) at VfB Stuttgart. The goals were scored by Serhou Guirassy (19th minute) and Chris Führich (65th). Due to the defeat, the Berliners remain in 14th place in the table with 25 points, but can still be overtaken by VfL Bochum.
Union does not take advantage of the opportunities
Union started well, defended attentively and aggressively, but also played confidently forward. The guests also had the first big chance to score of the game. After a long ball from Kevin Volland from midfield, strike partner Yorbe Vertessen got to the ball against several but inattentive Stuttgart defenders. The Belgian released the ball in front of the VfB goalkeeper but missed the goal. Stuttgart then took over the game. The Swabians showed some nice attacks, but missed the goal (6th and 7th minutes) or aimed over the goal from ten meters (10th).
On the other side, Union had their next opportunity rather unexpectedly. Stuttgart’s goalkeeper Nübel played into Robin Gosens’ feet. His cross pass landed at Andras Schäfer. However, the Hungarian failed with his shot that was too central due to Nübel, who was again attentive (16th). Three minutes later it was Stuttgart’s top scorer Serhou Guirassy who, after a nice pass and too little pressure from the opposition, seemed to have no trouble scoring from the edge of the penalty area and scoring his 21st goal of the season to give the Swabians the lead.
As a result, the game calmed down. It wasn’t until the 42nd minute when Union won the ball that gave Lucas Tousart a shot chance from the edge of the penalty area. However, the Frenchman brought the ball just over the goal. In the second minute of stoppage time, the Berliners were finally able to thank their goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow, who parried strongly against Joshua Vagnoman, who appeared free in front of him, after a nice Stuttgart counterattack.
Führich with the second attempt
The second half began, like the first, with a Berlin chance. After a Juranovic corner, Tousart headed from around seven meters but with too little force and too centrally (48′). In the 52nd minute, Stuttgart’s German national player Chris Führich tested the Danish national player Rönnow in the Berlin goal. However, Rönnow brilliantly parried the tight shot from the edge of the penalty area.
In the 65th minute, however, Führich could no longer be stopped. A ricochet shot from Diogo Leite landed directly at the Stuttgart winger, who didn’t hesitate for long and shot the ball beautifully from around ten meters into the far corner. Four minutes later, Union pulled the plug completely. After going too hard against Vagnoman, midfielder Andras Schäfer was shown the red card. Stuttgart managed the remaining time with great skill. Union, on the other hand, seemed to have resigned itself to its fate.
The voices for the game
Rani Khedira: “If you miss a 100% after two minutes, then of course it’s difficult. I still think we didn’t play a bad game. If you’re not efficient, it will be difficult in the Bundesliga. (…) We have to Continue to believe in ourselves, continue to stay compact and take advantage of our opportunities up front.”
Nenad Bjelica: “We have to take advantage of our chances. That was the case against Dortmund. It was the same in Munich and Leipzig. We had three or four chances in every game against better teams than us. That’s the problem at the moment . (…) If you blow the whistle like that, you get six or seven red cards in every game. (…) We’re in a very good position in terms of running and fighting. We just have to do better in front of the goal.”
The voices in the audio
The game in the live ticker
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, March 8, 2024, 8:30 p.m