Surprising VfB defeat on a windy evening in Heidenheim
Harmless, goalless - and even a penalty kick couldn't help: VfB Stuttgart also conceded defeat in their second Bundesliga match without their wonder striker Serhou Guirassy. The Swabians lost ground at the top of the table for the time being with a 0:2 (0:0) defeat at struggling promoted side 1. FC Heidenheim.
Heidenheim took a fully deserved lead through Jan Schöppner (70'), Tim Kleindienst (90.+4) followed up with an artistic shot from the center circle. Silas had previously missed the visitors' best opportunity with a penalty (57'), after they had been so impressive for many weeks.
From the beginning of September to mid-October, coach Sebastian Hoeneß' side had won six league games in a row, before 14-goal striker Guirassy was injured. The defeat against TSG Hoffenheim (2:3) was followed by disappointment in Heidenheim. The newly-promoted side, meanwhile, have now returned to winning ways after four consecutive defeats in competitive matches and are four points clear of the relegation zone.
Stuttgart, in third place with 21 points, are still in first place behind Bayer Leverkusen (28) and Bayern Munich (26). The important home game against Borussia Dortmund, who are equal fourth in the table and were also drawn against VfB in the cup round of 16, is coming up next Saturday - Guirassy could also be fit for action again then. Stuttgart showed during the week in their narrow cup win against Union Berlin (1:0) that they can actually do without him.
Kleindienst scores late on
Stuttgart certainly tried to take control of the game against a recently unsettled opponent, but Heidenheim held their own, gained confidence through tackles - and were clearly the more dangerous team. Two recipes helped: Jan-Niklas Beste's set-pieces repeatedly created danger, while Schöppner (17) and Benedikt Gimber (43) both hit the crossbar with their heads. In addition, Stuttgart repeatedly allowed the hosts to switch play quickly by losing the ball easily.
The conspicuous Eren Dinkci repeatedly penetrated Stuttgart's half at speed, but lacked the final pass or the dangerous finish. Nevertheless, the game developed in the opposite direction: Heidenheim pressed, Stuttgart threw themselves into dangerous attacks again and again at the last moment. And yet VfB could have taken the lead at the break: Angelo Stiller struck the crossbar with a direct free-kick (38').
The game changed after the break, with both sides creating fewer chances. VfB were clearly missing the target man and wall player Guirassy - even from the penalty spot: Patrick Mainka fouled Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton in the penalty area, but Silas put the ball over the goal. And a little later, Schöppner's header was a little more accurate than in the first half. Stuttgart hit the crossbar again very late in stoppage time - but the next goal also came from the other side: Kleindienst lifted the ball over VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel from the center circle.
Source: www.ntv.de
