VfB lose Swabian duel in Heidenheim
First they missed a penalty, then conceded a header and a long-range shot. VfB Stuttgart lost the Swabian duel in the Bundesliga 0:2 (0:0) at 1. FC Heidenheim.
Jan Schöppner (70th minute) and Tim Kleindienst (90.+4) scored for the promoted side, who had previously suffered four consecutive defeats in competitive matches and were eliminated from the DFB Cup. VfB remain third in the table, but have lost some ground on the leaders. Silas missed a great chance to give Stuttgart the lead with a penalty (57th minute).
It was wet, cold and occasionally windy on the Ostalb, but both teams did not put up much of a fight. The game was quite respectable. There were three crossbar goals in the sometimes turbulent first half alone.
VfB, who were missing midfield talent Enzo Millot for personal reasons and defensive midfielder Pascal Stenzel due to thigh problems, had more possession and the first big chance through Silas. The attacking player was already past FCH keeper Kevin Müller during a counter-attack before Bundesliga debutant Benedikt Gimber prevented him from finishing at the last moment (7').
Heidenheim always dangerous from set-pieces
Heidenheim gradually gained more confidence. Set-piece specialist Jan-Niklas Beste repeatedly posed a threat, particularly from set-pieces. Schöppner (17) and Gimber (43) both hit the crossbar with their heads. In between, Stuttgart's captain and defensive boss Waldemar Anton had to make several top saves. On one occasion, VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel made a strong save from Heidenheim's top scorer Kleindienst (33).
A few minutes before the break, however, the visitors also had two more good opportunities. Angelo Stiller flicked a free-kick onto the crossbar (38') and striker Deniz Undav chased the ball across the box from a promising position (39').
The game continued briskly after the break. VfB were awarded a penalty for a foul by Patrick Mainka on Anton, but Silas wasted the huge opportunity and shot over the goal. The 25-year-old's disappointment at his miss was clear to see. Visiting coach Sebastian Hoeneß eventually took him off the pitch and brought on Jamie Leweling.
Best's corner leads to 1:0
Shortly beforehand, however, Heidenheim took the lead. Another dangerous corner from Beste flew into the penalty area - and this time Schöppner was lucky with his finish. The 24-year-old scored with a header into the left corner. Stuttgart then tried to equalize, but hardly created any really compelling chances.
It was only in stoppage time that VfB pressed hard for an equalizer, but substitute Luca Raimund pushed the ball onto the crossbar of the FCH goal from just a few metres out. Then came Kleindienst, scoring from the center circle to make it 2:0 and the stadium was dancing.
Despite having more possession and a promising counter-attack with Silas, VfB Stuttgart missed a penalty in the 57th minute, allowing 1st FC Heidenheim to take advantage of set-pieces. Jan Schöppner scored from one such corner in the 70th minute, and despite VfB's efforts, Tim Kleindienst netted another from the center circle in stoppage time, securing a 2-0 Bundesliga victory for Heidenheim.
Source: www.dpa.com
