Goal redemption for Undav – Stuttgart wins in Bratislava

Thanks to captain Deniz Undav, VfB Stuttgart confidently completed its mandatory task in the Champions League. VfB won 3-0 (1-0) against Slovakian outsiders Slovan Bratislava and celebrated their second win in the second game of the league phase after the 3-1 opening win against Viking Stavanger. Undav (29th minute), Sandro Cruz (65th/own goal) and Ermedin Demirovic (90th) scored Stuttgart's goals on the rumpled lawn in the national stadium.

The Swabians dominated for long periods of the first half, but only scored one goal. Undav, served by Angelo Stiller, hit the ball flat into the far corner. For the 30-year-old captain it was the first goal in the eighth competitive game of the season. His shot was deflected and Slovan goalkeeper Dominik Takac stretched in vain. Shortly before, the keeper had brilliantly parried an Undav shot from close range with his foot.

El Khannouss, Chris Führich, Ramon Hendriks and Josha Vagnoman missed further good chances for VfB, who coped well with the adverse pitch conditions. Full-back Vagnoman missed a dream goal with his direct pass from 18 meters when the ball hit the crossbar of the Slovan goal. Meanwhile, the hosts, coached by former Champions League winner Yaya Touré, could hardly keep Bredlow busy.

Stuttgart in VAR luck

A few minutes after the break there was the first moment of shock for the Swabians. After a long Takac goal kick, Bratislava striker Suleiman Camara appeared completely free in front of Bredlow and hit the goal. The supposed equalizer did not count because of offside, although it took a while for the VAR to confirm the decision. Accordingly, Slovan captain Andraz Sporar had lightly touched the ball before Camara could shoot in - which was hardly visible even on the TV images.

VfB was also lucky when Sandro Cruz hit the ball powerfully onto the crossbar of the Stuttgart goal. Five minutes later, Bratislava's defender was unlucky again when he deflected Vagnoman's cross into his own goal. The ball slipped through Takac's legs and into the net. By then it was clear that Bratislava would once again come away empty-handed, as they had done in their 6-1 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain. Overall, the hosts presented themselves as too harmless.