34th matchday
VfB becomes runner-up thanks to the Guirassy show and points record
Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy (r) also scores for VfB on the last matchday. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
The Stuttgart team celebrates another lavish football festival against Gladbach – and overtakes Bayern in the table. The goalscorer scores twice and the fans are looking forward to the premier class.
Thanks to the once again outstanding goalscorer Serhou Guirassy, VfB Stuttgart celebrated a brilliant end to its fabulous season and even celebrated runner-up status. The Swabians won against Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-0 (2-0) and thus achieved another club record. After two near-relegations in a row, Stuttgart scored a whopping 73 points this season – more than ever before in a season in the Bundesliga.
“After all this shit, we’re off on the journey – Stuttgart international” was written on a large choreography in the fan curve. And the VfB professionals transferred the euphoria from the stands directly to the pitch. Guirassy headed the lead after a wonderful cross from Enzo Millot (23rd minute). Shortly later, the Guinean hammered a low shot from the turn onto the right inside post, from where the ball bounced into the net to make it 2-0 (31st). They were Guirassy’s 27th and 28th league goals this season. Interest from other clubs in the 28-year-old is likely to continue to increase. The other Stuttgart goals were scored by substitutes Woo-yeong Jeong (75th) and Silas (83rd).
Jamie Leweling (35′) and again Guirassy (43′) almost increased for VfB in the very entertaining first half, but each only hit the crossbar. The Swabians’ joy in playing was noticeable, five of whom – goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, captain Waldemar Anton, full-back Maximilian Mittelstädt, winger Chris Führich and striker Deniz Undav – made it into the provisional German European Championship squad.
The Gladbachers had their most dangerous scene before the break in the 40th minute. First Julian Weigl failed with a powerful shot past VfB keeper Nübel, then Nathan Ngoumou failed to get the ball into the goal when he followed up from close range.
For Borussia, a completely messed up season ended with just 34 points – the last time they had fewer points was 15 years ago (31). In the first few minutes after the break, the guests, who were missing the in-form Robin Hack, briefly increased their offensive efforts. But they didn’t really act powerfully. VfB initially managed the result in front of 60,000 spectators – and then struck twice.
A good quarter of an hour before the end, Jeong scored a low shot into the left corner to make it 3-0, and shortly later Silas even increased the score to 4-0. When the result of the parallel game between Hoffenheim and Bayern made the rounds, the mood finally boiled over.