Stuttgart's European dream lives following historic performance
| Josha Vagnoman celebrates netting the 4-1 Wednesday evening. | Alex Grimm, Getty Images |
VfB Stuttgart's European hopes for the coming calendar year are very much alive after Sebastian Hoeneß' Württembergers demolished visiting Young Boys Bern at the MHP Arena on Wendnesday. Five VfB goals - all of the highest quality - helped the Swabians bounce back from a 1-5 defeat in Belgrade and remain within striking distance of the UCL playoffs with two group stage match days remaining.
Fabian Rieder collected a hat trick of assists in the win. German internationals Angelo Stiller, Josha Vagnoman, and Chris Führich scored their very first Champions' League goals. Yannik Keitel contributed an inspired performance off the bench. The 2023/24 Bundesliga runners up celebrated their first home UCL win in 15 years at the MHP Arena.
Hoeneß lined his team up in the manner expected. Both teams donned black armbands in solidarity with Bern's Meschak Elia. The Congo DR international's son passed away yesterday. After a moment-of-silence to observe the loss, the Swiss guests got off to a surprisingly strong start against the heavily favored hosts. Five minutes had barely been played when the capital city side took a shock lead.
After a nice one-two with Alan Virginius, Polish youth international Lukasz Lakomy fired an unstoppable laser past a helpless Alexander Nübel from about 20 meters out. There was an emotional scene after the 6th-minute 1-0 as Lakomy and his teammates held up Elia's tricot in front of the broadcast cameras. The YBB XI then immediately fell back in defense of their lead.
Stuttgart could only manage narrow pinpricks through the predicable Demirovic channel in response. The VfB lead striker popped an effort over the bar on his best opportunity in the 22nd. Three minutes later, some more courageous play from Stiller enabled the hosts to net the equalizer. The German international charged forward, picked up Vagnoman in the box, and continued his run to finish off Vagnoman's return ball.
Stiller's inaugural Champions' League goal helped the Swabians play with much more comfort and confidence over the course of the rest of the opening 45. A major chance at a second goal nevertheless didn't materialize before it was time to head into the tunnel. The hosts came out blazing after the restart, however, with Demirovic nearly netting the 2-1 just seconds after kickoff.
A controversial scene in the 53rd enabled Stuttgart to take the lead. Fabian Rieder appeared to let the ball cross the byline after stripping Joel Monteiro in the box. The linesman's flag caused several Bernese players to stop even as Reider kept playing and serviced Millot on the 2-0. A VAR review confirmed that the ball did not go out into touch. Hence, the goal counted.
Führich scored the 3-1 in the 61st with a brilliant distance effort every bit as equal to that of Lakomy's opener. Rieder collected his second assist of the night after setting Führich up off of what was a neat set-piece design put together by Hoeneß and staff. Führich then played a vital role in the 66th 4-1. A strong ball win from Führich began a sequence that ended with Vagnoman polishing off a Millot cross.
Some nine minutes later, it was substitute Keitel's turn. The summer signing has barely featured at all for his new club due to the competitive situation in midfield. On for captain Atakan Karazor at the half, the 24-year-old contributed a very strong performance and was also involved in Vagnoman's goal. Keitel rolled home the 5-1 beautifully into the corner from outside the 18 central.
