VfB Stuttgart wanted to say goodbye to the international break with a win in the home game against Hoffenheim. But a bitter setback followed – with a late turnaround.
VfB Stuttgart saved a point against Hoffenheim at the last second with a penalty. After a handball in the last minute of stoppage time, the video referee intervened and corrected referee Harm Osmers, who had initially decided against a penalty. Ermedin Demirović stepped up, Oliver Baumann initially parried, but Demirović made the save.
Previously, Maximilian Mittelstädt, who made a sensational save from the line in the fourth minute, made a serious mistake. In the 44th minute, the left-back accidentally stumbled on a ball, allowing Hoffenheim’s Valentin Gendrey to pick up the ball and shoot it past Alexander Nübel into the goal.
The 1-1 draw may still give former VfB coach Matarazzo some breathing room during the international break after TSG had already won against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday. Baumann had already supported his coach after the 2-1 win. “If it wasn’t right, it wouldn’t have worked,” said the captain.
It also worked early on for Hoffenheim against Stuttgart. Adam Hložek had the lead after just four minutes, but Mittelstädt cleared the ball off the line. An open game developed in which Gendrey, on the other hand, fended off a header from Atakan Karazor in desperate need (8th).
After the eventful first few minutes, the pace slowed. Most of the action shifted to Hoffenheim’s half defending with concentration. The Swabians had significantly more possession of the ball, but only a few good opportunities: Baumann was there to counter Mittelstädt’s long-range shot (33′).
After the subsequent corner, the left-back’s shot flew just past the goal to the left (34′). In addition, Stuttgart’s national striker Deniz Undav headed over the goal from five meters (40th).
It was all the more surprising that Hoffenheim made it 1-0 shortly before half-time, although Mittelstädt essentially handed the ball to Gendrey. Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß reacted and brought on Josha Vagnoman and Chris Führich. Things rarely got better. Hoffenheim played largely stable, VfB increased the pressure towards the end, but hardly found any gaps. TSG remained dangerous on the counterattack.
In the final minutes, Hoffenheim lacked strength, so there were hardly any attacks to relieve the pressure. Stuttgart constantly ran, tried again and again, until the ball ended up in Kevin Akpoguma’s hand in the last second – and Ermedin Demirović shot VfB to a draw.