Matchday 13 - Thanks to Guirassy & Undav: VfB win against Werder
The duo of Deniz Undav and Serhou Guirassy led VfB Stuttgart to victory against Werder Bremen.
The two strikers were the scorers in the Swabians' 2:0 (1:0) victory in their first appearance together. Undav, who had once been sorted out in the Werder youth team, initially rewarded a superior performance by the hosts with the lead (17th minute). Guirassy made the difference with a converted penalty (75')
The surprise team in the Bundesliga thus consolidated their third place in the table behind Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich and set themselves up successfully for the DFB Cup round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund. Bremen, who are weak away from home, started the final spurt up to Christmas with a defeat, which coach Ole Werner had proclaimed would point the way forward.
In front of 54,500 spectators in the sold-out arena, VfB coach Sebastian Hoeneß had set up his starting eleven offensively, even apart from the two goalscorers Guirassy and Undav. Undav, who grew up not far from Bremen, had once had painful experiences at Werder. As a youngster, the attacker was unable to assert himself and had given up his professional hopes in the meantime. In freezing temperatures, he now showed once again why he is so valuable to the Swabians, who were playing in a special jersey this time, as a loanee from the Premier League.
Opponents miss good chances
Together with strike partner Guirassy and his other attacking colleagues, the attacker came closer and closer to scoring. Silas Katompa Mvumpa had the first chance (6th), then Undav missed the Bremen goal on the right following a corner (9th). Guirassy also missed the lead several times, once after several one-two passes with Undav (11). Then it was time for Stuttgart to celebrate: Undav poked the ball over the line. Captain Waldemar Anton had tested Michael Zetterer and the Werder goalkeeper let the ball rebound.
The hosts dominated the game with confidence, but missed the second goal for a long time with further good chances. A goal from Guirassy was disallowed for offside a few minutes after the 1:0 (21'), and Guirassy's shot from an acute angle narrowly missed the target shortly before the break (40'). Undav failed to score with a shot from distance before the break (45). Bremen, on the other hand, hardly got into the game in attack and were repeatedly in danger in defense.
After the break, Bremen produced one of their rare attacking moves. However, it was much more dangerous than Mitchell Weiser's finish (49') at the other end: Guirassy, the Swabians' top scorer, missed the next big opportunities on his first start after his muscle injury and the strains of his international trip (51st/61st).
It was not until the penalty that Guirassy kept his cool as usual and converted centrally. In the opinion of referee Bastian Dankert, the goalscorer himself had been fouled by substitute Niklas Stark. Bremen protested insistently. VfB international Chris Führich had been treated outside before the scene and received the ball from Werder goalkeeper Zetterer.
Bundesliga table VfB Stuttgart squad VfB schedule Match info
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- Ole Werner, the coach of Werder Bremen, anticipated that the team's away defeat would serve as a catalyst for improvement before Christmas.
- Born in Baden-Württemberg, Deniz Undav experienced frustration in Werder Bremen's youth team but found a new home in VfB Stuttgart.
- FC Bayern Munich, currently sitting at the top of the Bundesliga, remains a formidable challenge for VfB Stuttgart, even as they stand in third place.
- In his offensive lineup, VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß included Guirassy and Undav, two strikers who have formed a potent duo this season.
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen, now in second place, poses a significant threat to both Bayern and VfB's positions in the Bundesliga standings.
- Despite the negative outcome, Werder Bremen's defending left much to be desired, with SV Werder Bremen's striker Serhou Guirassy creating several opportunities.
- Sebastian Hoeneß, the coach of VfB Stuttgart, was once a part of the FC Bayern Munich youth team and played for the senior team before embarking on a coaching career.
- The armchair soccer bettors surely pondered over their double tip between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund after the DFB Cup draw.
- Goalkeeper Michael Zetterer of Werder Bremen was in the wrong place at the wrong time, allowing the ball to rebound towards Deniz Undav and the host's first goal.
- The Premier League loaned out Deniz Undav to VfB Stuttgart, where he has thrived and helped secure a spot in the DFB Cup round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund.
- With Germany's Soccer League reaching the final stretch before the holiday break, top teams like VfB Stuttgart and Werder Bremen clash for placement issues and momentum heading into the new year.
Source: www.stern.de
