Josha Vagnoman starred in VfB Stuttgart’s impressive 5:1 win over Young Boys Bern, celebrating his 24th birthday with a goal and an assist. This victory keeps Stuttgart’s hopes alive for advancing in the Champions League, positioning them just one point away from playoff contention. After a shaky start, they rallied to dominate possession and score four unanswered goals, showcasing their determination for upcoming matches against Slovan Bratislava and Paris St. Germain.
Josha Vagnoman Shines in Stuttgart’s Dominant Victory
In a thrilling showdown, VfB Stuttgart, spearheaded by the dynamic Josha Vagnoman, celebrated a crucial 5:1 victory against Young Boys Bern. This win keeps their hopes for advancing to the round of 16 alive, with a notable performance on Wednesday evening, which also marked Vagnoman’s 24th birthday as he assisted and scored a goal.
Stuttgart’s Path to Redemption
Currently positioned 26th in the restructured Champions League table, Stuttgart is only one point away from playoff contention. Their upcoming matches against Slovan Bratislava on January 21 and Paris St. Germain on the final matchday will be pivotal. VfB is optimistic about needing at least one win from these encounters.
“It was a liberating experience; we played a solid game. In the second half, we were fully engaged and didn’t give our opponents any breathing room,” expressed Fabian Rieder, a former player for Bern.
The match began with Stuttgart facing an uphill battle as they quickly fell behind. Bern’s aggressive start paid off when Łukasz Łakomy scored in the 6th minute, catching goalkeeper Alexander Nübel off guard. In a heartfelt moment, Bern players displayed a jersey for their teammate Meschack Elia, who had recently suffered a personal loss.
After a shaky start, Stuttgart started to stabilize their play. They nearly leveled the score when Emedin Demirović’s ambitious shot from a tight angle hit the side netting. In the 22nd minute, Demirović had another opportunity but mistimed his shot at the penalty spot.
As the match progressed, Stuttgart began to dominate possession, leading to their equalizer in the 26th minute. Following a clever one-two with Vagnoman, Stiller set up Vagnoman for a clean finish from six meters, igniting jubilation among the home fans.
Following halftime, Stuttgart picked up right where they left off. Demirović continued to threaten the Bern defense, but it was Rieder’s persistence that paid off, as he assisted Enzo Millot for the go-ahead goal in the 53rd minute, despite a lengthy VAR review that nearly disallowed the strike.
Stuttgart’s momentum surged as Chris Führich scored a spectacular curling shot in the 61st minute. Just six minutes later, Vagnoman showcased his relentless effort by netting his second goal, extending the lead to 4:1. With Bern’s defense crumbling, Yannik Keitel capitalized in the 76th minute, scoring from almost 25 meters out, marking his first competitive goal for VfB. Stuttgart’s emphatic victory against the reigning Swiss champions signals a strong push for their campaign ahead.