VfB Stuttgart missed a number of chances against Freiburg – and then struck shortly before the end. Previously, Deniz Undav and Noah Atubolu were the focus of the duel between Swabians and Badeners.
A late dream goal from Ermedin Demirovic gave VfB Stuttgart victory in the national duel and, at least for the time being, a place in the Champions League in the Bundesliga. The Swabians won against SC Freiburg 1-0 (0-0) and moved past RB Leipzig into fourth place in the table. The Baden team, however, is still a long way behind the European Cup places after the 20th matchday.
VfB had a lot of ball possession and the better chances in the Baden-Württemberg duel. What he lacked for a long time in front of 60,000 spectators was efficiency – before Joker Demirovic struck in the 90th minute. Previously, Freiburg could rely primarily on their goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
“I think that’s the only thing you expect from me when I come into a game like this, that I somehow push the ball over the line. I had a good feeling today – yes, and then something like that will work today,” said Demirovic after the game on DAZN about the action in which he hammered the ball into the corner of the Freiburg goal from a distance.
Stuttgart were the much more active team in the first half. Apart from a long-range shot from Yuito Suzuki (4th) and a hit into the side of the net by Derry Scherhant (43rd), the guests were rarely seen at the front.
Defensively, Freiburg were initially quite compact, but gradually they came under increasing pressure. After SC keeper Atubolu parried a header from VfB defender Josha Vagnoman (20th), Deniz Undav came into focus.
Stuttgart’s national striker looked for one finish after another. Freiburg’s defense chief Matthias Ginter once saved a shot from the 29-year-old just in front of the line (28th), a little later Undav was unable to take advantage of a serious mistake in Baden’s build-up play (32nd).
Undav and the exploitation of opportunities
The World Cup candidate’s exploitation of opportunities has been a frequent topic this season. After his goal in the 3-0 away win against Borussia Mönchengladbach a week ago, Undav defended himself against his critics. This time the attacker acted unluckily again.
Stuttgart’s lead would have been deserved at the latest when Nikolas Nartey’s header was denied by Atubolu, who was again reacting well (42′). Then suddenly VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel made another miss, which had no further consequences apart from a Freiburg corner (44th).
Subscribe to WELTMeister Spotify, Apple Podcasts or directly via RSS-Feed.
The Breisgau team started the second half more aggressively. However, their goalkeeper Atubolu quickly came into focus again, parrying from close range against Bilal El Khannouss (52′).
VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß tried to give his attack new impetus and substituted winger Chris Führich, among others. Three days after their Europa League appearances, both teams no longer seemed quite as fresh at times and the inaccuracies were now increasing.
In the final minutes the hosts worked again to make it 1-0, but they continued to have no luck in front of the opponent’s goal. When everything pointed to a draw, Demirovic, who was also substituted, hammered the ball into the Freiburg corner.
lwö/dpa
