VfB Stuttgart has achieved an enormously important victory in the fight against relegation from the Bundesliga.
With a 2-1 (1-0) win over Borussia Mönchengladbach, the Swabians climbed to 15th place ahead of VfL Bochum, who tied on points. In the fourth Bundesliga game under coach Sebastian Hoeneß, it was the second win after two previous draws. Stuttgart hadn’t won in front of their own audience since February 18.
A penalty converted by Tanguy Coulibaly (83′) gave VfB a deserved win – Gladbach’s Kou Itakura saw the red card for fouling Tiago Tomas (82′).
A long-checked goal by the good Serhou Guirassy (22nd) put Stuttgart in the lead, Julian Weigl equalized with a penalty kick (78th). With the win, the hosts are not in one of the last three places for the first time since matchday 23.
Defense of VfB Stuttgart wobbles
Driven by the ubiquitous Enzo Millot, Stuttgart dominated the game against sloppy Gladbach, especially in the first half, but what was initially missing were good scoring chances. However, that changed abruptly after 20 minutes.
Gladbach’s goalkeeper Jonas Omlin first had to stretch out when Millot shot. Shortly thereafter, Guirassy deflected the ball into the goal with a heel from a pass by Waldemar Anton, and after a two-minute video review the goal counted.
Only then did Gladbach, who had seemed rather dispassionate until then, took part in the game more resolutely, which promptly caused difficulties for the shaky Stuttgart defense. VfB goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow prevented the quick equalizer with a brilliant save against the well-played Alassane Plea (33rd). VfB then missed several opportunities to extend their lead, for example due to the lively Silas (42nd).
Bad luck for VfB Stuttgart
Bad luck for Stuttgart: After an unintentional punch in the face by Gladbach’s Lars Stindl (51′), the busy goalscorer Guirassy had to leave the field and was replaced by Tiago Tomas.
As a result, VfB increasingly withdrew, but still had the opportunity to extend their lead through Silas (64th) and Dan-Axel Zagadou (71st).
Gladbach, on the other hand, could not use their superiority – and needed the involuntary help of Zagadou to equalize in the turbulent final phase. Still, it wasn’t enough at one point.
