Sport Stuttgart Gala
Guirassy and Undav do it like Elber and Bobic once did
Status: 13.04.2024 | Reading time: 3 minutes
The fans of VfB Stuttgart can dream more than ever about the Champions League. With enthusiasm and speed, the Swabians duped Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0. Their two top strikers are already reminiscent of old successful times.
With club record goalscorer Serhou Guirassy, VfB Stuttgart continues to work on its possible fairytale Champions League qualification. A week after the 1-0 win at rival Dortmund, coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s efficient Swabians gave Eintracht Frankfurt no chance when they won 3-0 (3-0).
This means that the third-placed Swabians remain level on points with FC Bayern and do not give the impression that they could gamble away the premier class in the five remaining games of the season in the Bundesliga. Theoretically, Stuttgart can no longer be denied entry into the Europa League. “Stuttgart in the Champions League,” chanted the euphoric fans.
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VfB earned their success with efficiency in their eleventh league game in a row without defeat. In a one-sided first half, Guirassy (11th minute), who became VfB’s Bundesliga season record goalscorer, as well as Deniz Undav (17th) and Jamie Leweling (37th) took advantage of three chances to score three goals. The Frankfurt team in sixth place had to reduce their lead over FC Augsburg to three points in the fight for Europa League qualification.
Best German Bundesliga scorer: Deniz Undav scores 2-0 against Frankfurt with his 16th goal of the season
Source: dpa/Jan-Philipp Strobel
With Guirassy and Undav, who also prepared the 3-0, two Stuttgart players have scored at least 16 goals this season. The last time that happened in Stuttgart was in 1995/96 and 1996/97, when Fredi Bobic and Giovane Elber shot VfB to success.
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“I can definitely imagine staying here. We play outstanding football and have incredible fun together. But it’s a long summer. Let’s see what happens,” said Undav, who has been on loan from Premier League club Brighton.
Bredlow replaces injured Nübel
In the now completely rebuilt Stuttgart Arena, the 60,000 spectators experienced a memorable scene early on. After a fine pass from Angelo Stiller, who had moved back into midfield, striker Guirassy was ripped off in front of Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and set a Bundesliga season record for VfB.
With his 25th goal, the attacker surpassed former national striker Mario Gomez, whose previous record (24) came from the 2008/2009 season. The lead was initially not recognized because of an alleged offside position, but only after a video review did referee Deniz Aytekin give it 1-0.
Guirassy scored in his sixth Bundesliga game in a row. A series that no player managed this season, not even Harry Kane. His ten goals this season to make it 1-0 are also a Bundesliga record.
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The hosts continued to take advantage of their chances, took advantage of the guests’ mistakes and celebrated again just a few minutes later. This time the starting point was a throw-in from Frankfurt. Eintracht defender Robin Koch was unable to hold on to the ball against the lurking Undav – and Guirassy’s offensive partner didn’t miss his opportunity.
The Hessians, for whom midfielder Mario Götze was unavailable due to conjunctivitis, were unable to stop VfB’s offensive drive decisively enough – and even fell further behind before the break. Koch was involved again. His header attempt to clear the ball landed at Undav. Winger Leweling converted his assist. “A great game again. “We showed what we can do,” said Leweling, “we’ll continue in Bremen next week.”
The Swabians were able to cope with the loss of regular goalkeeper Alexander Nübel. One day after it was announced that the ailing keeper would be loaned out from FC Bayern to VfB, Nübel was replaced by Fabian Bredlow. The substitute also got the ball on his head during his save against former VfB professional Omar Marmoush and had to be treated, but was able to continue playing.
In the second half, Eintracht coach Dino Toppmöller sent striker Hugo Ekitiké onto the pitch for Ansgar Knauff. And the guests, who were now more aggressive, found their way into the game much better. The Swabians took it easy and the Frankfurters had more chances. Ekitiké missed a cross (72′). With a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, Marmoush forced VfB goalkeeper Bredlow to make a save (76′).
