First-leg report

VfB Stuttgart 3-0 Hamburg
Goals: 1-0 Mavropanos 1’ (assist: Sosa), 2-0 Vagnoman 51’ (assist: Millot), 3-0 Guirassy 54' (assist: Sosa)
Red card: Suhonen 69'

The battle between two former Bundesliga champions for one top-flight spot in 2023/24 always promised to be dramatic - and it more than lived up to its billing. A mere 47 seconds were on the clock by the time Konstantinos Mavropanos sent a bullet header from a corner into the top right of the net to serve up a dream start for the hosts. Stuttgart continued to have the better of an open first phase, with Chris Führich having a shot turned behind from a tight angle by Daniel Heuer Fernandes. Serhou Guirassy spurned a big chance to double the lead midway through the first half, firing at Heuer Fernandes with plenty of time to contemplate his shot when through on the target. Heuer Fernandes leapt to deny Guirassy again from the penalty spot minutes later, after Ludovit Reis had tripped Enzo Millot. The Hamburg goalkeeper then stopped Führich as the flurry of Stuttgart opportunities continued. The Bundesliga 2 side grew into the game before the break, with impressive intensity but no real chances. The final opening of the half fell to Mavropanos, who headed just wide from a free-kick.

Stuttgart took their energetic approach into the start of the second period, threatening from two early corners. Führich and Wataru Endo then opened up Hamburg with a slick attacking move that saw the Japanese player lay the ball across for Josha Vagnoman to make it two against his former club. Guirassy promptly sent another commanding header into the net from a corner to put the hosts 3-0 up. Robert Glatzel was denied by a sprawling Florian Müller save as Hamburg tried to gain a lifeline. That proved to be only a brief interlude to Stuttgart's continued dominance, though. Mavropanos had another headed opening, before Anssi Suhonen was sent off for Hamburg for kicking Vagnoman just minutes after coming on as a substitute. The 10 men of Hamburg did rally somewhat with a late attacking spell, but Mavropanos had yet another chance late on to extend the hosts' lead heading wide. The tie is now Stuttgart's to lose as they take their three-goal lead to the second leg in Hamburg's Volksparkstadion on Monday.

Teams

Stuttgart: Müller - Mavropanos, Anton (Zagadou 90'+2), Ito - Vagnoman, Karazor (Nartey 84'), Endo (c), Sosa - Millot (Egloff 84'), Guirassy (Pfeiffer 68'), Führich (Tomas 68')
Unused subs: Selmen, Stenzel, Coulibaly, Silas
Out: Bredlow (knee), Kastanaras (foot)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Hamburg: Heuer Fernandes - Heyer, David, Schonlau (c), Muheim - Meffert, Kittel, Reis (Suhonen 60') - Jatta, Glatzel, Dompe (Königsdörffer 65')
Unused subs: Raab, Mikelbrencis, Montero, Kisilowski, Bilbija, Heil, Krahn,
Out: Benes (thigh), Katterbach (cruciate ligament), Megeed (torn ligament), Nemeth (ankle), Vuskovic (suspended)
Coach: Tim Walter

Highlights

Stuttgart retain Bundesliga status at Hamburg's expense

How does Bundesliga promotion and relegation work?

HSV miss out on automatic promotion