Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart despairs of Union Berlin in perfection

Union Berlin can use the match as a lesson: Steffen Baumgart's team beat VfB Stuttgart 2-1 (2-0) in a style only the "Iron Ones" can. The Supercup loser pressed hard and had chances, but the hosts triumphed with unparalleled efficiency. This was exemplified by double goalscorer Ilyas Ansah (18th and 45th minute, plus 4th minute), while Tiago Tomas's equalizer (86th minute) came too late.

Berlin also had a goalkeeper who made the whole thing possible. Frederik Rönnow saved an unstoppable shot from Jeff Chabot in the twelfth minute, and he somehow deflected a close-range header over the goal with an outstanding reflex save. Stuttgart deserved the lead at that point, as VfB was the only team controlling the game—which wasn't even that old at the time.

Shortly after kickoff, the match was already suspended for several minutes. Union fans had first gotten themselves fired up with a choreography through the "Alte Försterei" (Old Forester's Office), but then they threw so many pieces of trash onto the pitch that the game could only be resumed after they had been disposed of. Overall, the atmosphere was typical of Union – and the game was typical of Union.

The hosts' almost first attack already caused the first roar of celebration in the stadium. Ansah controlled a long ball in the hustle and bustle, then the SC Paderborn newcomer shot directly from 20 meters out, fortunately having his shot deflected slightly—but decisively—off the inside of the post (18').

Berlin had the perfect starting position – a lead and a strong desire to defend their own goal. But Stuttgart played quite well, and Sebastian Hoeneß could hardly fault his team during this phase. His team had over 80 percent possession and also created several good chances – but their conversion was the major shortcoming.

Joshua Vagnoman had the second great chance, but his shot from four meters landed well over the bar (31'). Jamie Leweling then took a long run-up and tried a long-range effort, but Rönnow again made a strong save (34'). The closest he came, however, was when the Dane just managed to deflect Atakan Karazor's shot onto the crossbar with his foot (44').

Stuttgart had the chances, Union had the fighting spirit, and Rönnow – and of course, Ansah. In the fourth minute, the striker himself paved the way for a brace. Ansah won the ball, played it down the right flank to his partner Andrej Ilic, and received his cross right on his feet – and the new Union player finished with a volley (45+4).

The break interrupted the game, but it didn't change it. Stuttgart continued where it had left off, apart from the two goal-scoring opportunities. This included the fact that neither Undav's header that hit the crossbar (49th minute) nor Maximilian Mittelstädt's long-range shot, which Rönnow also saved, changed VfB's success rate in the 50th minute.

Union was under pressure throughout, but seemed to have the self-confidence of its heyday under Baumgart's predecessor, Urs Fischer, under whom the club even qualified for the Champions League in the 2022/23 season. Back then, the factors for success were the same as in the opening hour against Stuttgart, who were clearly superior in football but received a lesson in the art of scoring goals.

Karazor missed his second chance with a header, aiming just wide (57th minute). After that, Union managed to keep the opposing attacks away from their own goal for a while. It wasn't until the 81st minute that Rönnow had to parry a shot from Chris Führich, but it was deflected off one of his defenders, making this one of the easiest tasks of the game.

But then things got exciting. Tomas scored a spectacular goal in his comeback after returning to Stuttgart from VfL Wolfsburg, hitting the inside of the post with a backheel after a cross (86'). In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Stuttgart even celebrated a point – but only for a few seconds. Nick Woltemade scored, but the striker was ruled offside.

Berlin travels to Sunday's away game at Borussia Dortmund (5.30 p.m.) with a dream start in their luggage - VfB must avoid a false start against Borussia Mönchengladbach (Saturday, 3.30 p.m.).

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