VfB Stuttgart Triumphs in Champions League Clash,Praises Slovan Bratislava’s Spirit
On a chilly Tuesday evening,the slovak football champions,SK Slovan Bratislava,bid farewell to the Champions League on their home turf at Tehelno polí. Their opponents, VfB Stuttgart, the fourth-ranked team in the German Bundesliga, emerged victorious, as anticipated. The match marked a notable moment for both teams, with Stuttgart securing a decisive win.
Stuttgart, affectionately known as “Die Schwaben,” dominated the first half, scoring two goals by the 36th minute, setting the score at 0:2. Jamie Leweling, the VfB winger, reflected on the match, stating, “This was a crucial game for us. We started strong and capitalized on early opportunities, which set the tone for the rest of the match.” The team maintained their lead, eventually winning 3:1.
Leweling, who scored his first two Champions League goals in this match, shared his excitement, “Scoring a double in such a prestigious tournament is a personal milestone, but the team’s victory is what truly matters.” His performance was a highlight of the game, showcasing his growing prowess on the field.
Slovan Bratislava’s Passionate Fans and Resilience
Despite the loss, Slovan Bratislava’s passionate fans created an electrifying atmosphere at Tehelno polí. Leweling acknowledged the challenge, “Playing at Slovan is tough. Their fans are astonishing, and the compact stadium amplifies their energy. They pushed us hard in the second half, but we stayed focused and secured the win.” The 23-year-old, accustomed to larger Bundesliga arenas, was impressed by the intensity of the home crowd.
Deniz Undav, another key player for Stuttgart, also praised Slovan’s efforts. “Slovan is a strong team with a lot of heart. They made us work for every goal, and their determination deserves respect,” he remarked. Undav’s sportsmanship highlighted the mutual respect between the teams, even in a competitive setting.
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“Playing in front of such passionate fans and against such skilled opponents is always a challenge,” remarked Undav, who topped the Bundesliga scoring charts last season with 18 goals. “In the second half, it was evident that with better play between the lines, they could have generated more opportunities. The chances they did create weren’t capitalized on, and the pitch conditions didn’t help either.”
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SK Slovan Bratislava suffered their seventh consecutive defeat in the 2024/2025 Champions League, falling 1:3 to VfB Stuttgart at Tehelné pole. With no points secured, they remain in the penultimate 35th position in the standings. The team will wrap up the league phase of the competition on January 29 with a challenging away fixture against Bayern Munich.
“We had control over the game,but scoring goals like they did gives you momentum,fueled by the crowd. That’s what happened, and another goal could have followed. Slovan is a solid team, and it’s unfortunate they haven’t earned a single point yet.Their performance certainly merits it,” Undav acknowledged, paying respect to the Bratislava side.
Slovan showed significant enhancement after the hour mark, putting pressure on the favorites and coming close to finding the net. Their resilience in the latter stages of the match highlighted their potential, even if the result didn’t reflect their efforts.The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute when Togo Idjessi Metsok delivered a precise strike, but just two minutes later, Fabian Rieder’s goal sealed the deal at 3:1. “They were building momentum, but we quickly responded and shattered their confidence. That third goal was crucial—it broke their spirit and settled the match,” remarked the VfB captain.
Takáč’s Heroics Keep Slovan in the Game
Dominik Takáč, the 26-year-old goalkeeper from Galanta, emerged as a standout performer for Slovan Bratislava. Despite conceding three goals, his sharp reflexes and composure prevented further damage. his efforts didn’t go unnoticed, earning praise from Stuttgart’s players.
“He was outstanding today. He nearly denied my second goal, but he was brilliant,” said Jamie Leweling with a smile. “He was the reason they didn’t concede more. We had several clear chances, but he was there to stop us. Without him,the scoreline could’ve been much higher,” added Undav in an interview with ŠPORT.sk.
PSG Awaits as the Final Hurdle
Under the guidance of coach Sebastian Hoeneß, Stuttgart climbed to 21st place in the Champions League standings following their victory at Tehelno Field. However, their ultimate test lies ahead as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain at the MHP Arena next week. This match will determine whether they achieve their season’s objective.
Meanwhile, Milan Škriniar’s team, currently languishing in 26th place, is set to host Manchester City on Wednesday evening. While their position seems precarious, the outcome of Stuttgart’s clash with PSG will likely decide their fate.
“I believe
“The energy from our home crowd will be electrifying, and their unwavering support will undoubtedly fuel our performance. The outcome of Manchester City’s match will play a crucial role. If they lose, a single point against them will suffice for us. however, if they win, we’ll need to step up our game as well,” Lewelling emphasized.
“This is going to be a high-stakes encounter where anything can unfold. We’re fully committed to giving our all to secure the victory and advance to the play-offs. I sense that our opponents are equally determined to win, so it’s bound to be a challenging battle. Historically,we’ve performed better on our home turf compared to away games,so that could work in our favor. Our ultimate goal is to remain in this competition for as long as possible. With at least one more match ahead, we’re ready to fight relentlessly for our aspirations,” 28-year-old Deniz Undav added with a confident grin.
