Enzo Millot header only enough for a point as Stuttgart held by Sparta Prague in Champions League
Enzo Millot's header gave VfB Stuttgart the perfect start at home to Sparta Prague in the UEFA Champions League, but the visitors earned a draw with a fine leveller.
Off the back of their dramatic late equaliser at Wolfsburg over the weekend, it was to be expected that Stuttgart would carry their momentum into the start of this, their first Champions League home game of the season. Despite the early lead, taken well by Millot who was unmarked on the end of a Mittelstädt cross to the far post, the hosts had started sloppily. They dominated possession, but Sparta looked very promising on the counter-attack, hitting the woodwork twice. Millot and Leweling were the bright sparks for Stuttgart in the first half, but the Swabians struggled to get Undav and Demirovic involved in the first half, with the visitors defending very robustly. Just as it looked like Stuttgart were growing into the game, they were met with a shock equaliser from Sparta. A blistering free-kick from Kairinen nestled in the top-right corner from some 30 yards out, with nothing that Nübel could do about it.
The second half started in much the same fashion of the end of the first. Good saves were made in both goals, putting a stop to chances from Birmančević and Panák for Sparta, and Millot and Chabot for Stuttgart. The hosts continued to dominate possession, but to no avail. The visitors were simply too well drilled and defended as a unit so intelligently. Chase, Führich and Bilal Touré were all subbed on, but even their fresh legs couldn’t alter the proceedings in any meaningful enough way. Führich was a real bright spark for the hosts after coming on, with much of their play coming down the left, combining well with Mittelstädt. But as the half went on, Sparta did seem less concerned with counter-attacking at a breakneck speed, and seemed happy to sit behind the ball and take what was a well-deserved point after a resilient defensive display. Stuttgart just couldn’t break down the Czech champions.
Watch: The best of Enzo Millot
Match stats
Undav is Stuttgart's top scorer this season, with six goals in eight competitive games.
Former players Kevin Kurányi and Mario Gómez are Stuttgart's record scorers in the Champions League era, each on three goals.
Stuttgart are one of five Bundesliga clubs in the revamped Champions League - no other league has more representatives this year.
This is Stuttgart's sixth campaign of Champions League/ European Cup football. Their deepest run was to the 2009/10 round of 16.
Champions League League phase, Matchday 2 League phase, Matchday 2 MHPArena
Full-Time: Stuttgart 1-1 Sparta
Sebastian Hoeneß's side had enough of this league phase game to have taken maximum spoils, but have to be content with their first point of this season's tournament after being held by a battling Sparta. Enzo Millot gave the hosts the perfect start with an early headed goal, only for Kaan Kairinen to equalise with a superb free kick. Next up for the Bundesliga side in this competition is a trip to Juventus on 22 October.
Rouault's late shot is gathered comfortably by Vindahl. That's likely to be that.
90'
Time added on
We'll have four minutes tacked onto the end of this second half.
86'
No joy
Could this be one of those nights for Sebastian Hoeneß's men? The hosts have huffed and puffed in this second half but just haven't been able to find a way through. Rieder's shot from the edge of the area is palmed wide by Vindahl. Solid save.
Chabot and Millot both have shots blocked as Stuttgart lay siege to the Sparta goal. The home fans are doing their bit here too, as they look to push their side towards an all-important goal.
62'
Double swap
The hosts throw Führich and Stenzel into the mix. As things stand, this is not an ideal scoreline for Stuttgart, who lost their opening game in Real Madrid.
Sparta captain Filip Panák slams a left-footed shot into the side netting from close range. That was a worrying moment for Stuttgart's fans.
54'
Nübel to the rescue
Stuttgart's shot stopper spreads himself brilliantly and saves what looked a certain goal from the boot of
Birmančević.
51'
Man down
Millot takes a smack to the head and goes down. The Stuttgart attacker should be ok to continue.
48'
Stuttgart surge
Ermedin Demirović's goal-bound shot thwacks Deniz Undav on the arm and Sparta have a free out. From the resulting set piece, Vindahl plays the ball straight to Millot, who runs through on goal before taking one touch too many and allowing the visiting goalkeeper to redeem himself. Huge chance for the hosts.
46'
Off we go again ...
Stuttgart get us underway in the second half.
Half-time: Stuttgart 1-1 Sparta
The teams go in level at the break after a highly-entertaining first half. Enzo Millot's header gave the Swabians a super start at the MHPArena, but the hosts have been pegged back by Kaan Kairinen's sensational free kick.
This encounter has turned into a ding-dong battle now. Demirović hooks the ball back from the byline but Millot's header lacks the power to trouble Vindahl.
38'
Woodwork again
Sparta have hit the woodwork for a second time. Birmančević rises highest and nodes a centre from the left against the crossbar. Stuttgart look a little stunned at the moment.
32'
What. A. Goal.
Just as Stuttgart looked like turning the screw, Kaan Kairinen has smashed in a free kick that fizzed high in off the post, with Nübel's outstretched hand just out of reach. That's an incredible strike and Sparta are level.
The hosts are well worth their lead here and look the likelier of the teams to score the game's next goal. VfB are boasting 68 per cent of the possession until now.
The Germany international eyes a ball over the top and controls it as he sprints into the Sparta area. To the the relief of the visitors, Vindahl is right there on top of the striker and manages to block Undav's shot.
21'
Punching clear
Mittelstädt's deep centre from the left is met by a flying punch from Peter Vindahl. VfB are in control of this game now but Sparta still look a threat when they push forward.
16'
Millot off the mark
Enzo Millot has a first Champions League goal in what is his second appearance in the competition proper this evening.
13'
Sparta hit the woodwork
From the resulting set-piece, Vitík rises highest and pings a header across Nübel. This looks in all the way ... until the upright intervenes to save Stuttgart.
12'
Stenzel booked
Stenzel hacks down Lukáš Haraslín and is shown a yellow card.
Leweling gets a low shot away from outside the area but that's easy enough for Vindahl to field. The MHPArena is bouncing now.
7'
VfB lead
That's more like it from the Bundesliga side. As simple as you like this: Maximilian Mittelstädt's centre from the left is perfect for Enzo Millot, who - unmarked - nods down and in at the back stick.
Sebastian Hoeneß looks a touch concerned down on the touchline and it's no wonder, with his side very sloppy in possession thus far. The Swabians give the ball away for a third time in these opening minutes and Sparta swarm, but ultimately can't take advantage.
3'
Sparta's bright start
The visitors are already looking lively as they snap at the heels of their opponents, trying to force a mistake. Birmančević gets a shot away for Sparta, but his effort is blocked.
1'
Game on
Sparta - kitted out in black - get us underway against Stuttgart, who are wearing white with red trimmings.
Anthem time
Both sides make their way out onto the pitch and line up for the Champions League anthem. We're almost ready to go in Stuttgart!
Teams in tunnel!
What an atmosphere at the MHPArena in Stuttgart. We await the appearance of both teams ...
Hoeneß speaks
The Stuttgart coach insisted "Sparta are doing very well," at the moment and that, "Their team play good football, are very intense and well organised."
4:22
Stuttgart on the rise
Sebastian Hoeneß's men are once again enjoying that feel-good factor as they get set to resume their UEFA Champions League challenge.
More on those teams
VfB are showing two changes from their weekend draw against Wolfsburg. Pascal Stenzel is in for the injured Josha Vagnoman on the right while Deniz Undav gets the nod up top, with Fabian Rieder making way. Sparta also make a couple of changes to the side that started the Matchday 1 Champions League win against Salzburg, with Tomáš Wiesner and Victor Olatunji stepping aside for Albion Rrahmani and Tomáš Wiesner.
"The excitement for the first Champions League home game is immense. We know the significance it has for the fans but also for ourselves. We're hoping for a similar performance to the one against Real Madrid and the support of our fans."
"They're doing very good work. They play good football at a high intensity and are very well organised. They've started the season well but there's a great euphoria among us and we know the force we can generate. We need absolute willingness tomorrow."
The Czech visitors suffered their first league defeat of the season at home to Sigma at the weekend (2-3). They are second in their domestic table but beat Salzburg 3-0 to make a good start to the Champions League.
2:03
Highlights of Stuttgart's 5-1 win over Dortmund
How's the form?
Stuttgart have only won one of their last four in all competitions, but that run includes the trip to Real Madrid and drawing 2-2 at Wolfsburg on Saturday when down to ten men. Their last home match was a stunning 5-1 success over last season's UEFA Champions League finalists, Borussia Dortmund.
5:01
All Deniz Undav's Bundesliga goals
The Stuttgart striker levelled in Madrid before late goals for the hosts made for a 3-1 defeat. He has four goals already in the Bundesliga this season.
0:37
Stuttgart fans enjoyed their opening Champions League tie in Madrid...
Last time
Stuttgart's last home tie in the competition over 14 years ago saw Cacau open the scoring as the hosts took a very decent 1-1 draw against a legendary Barcelona side (before losing the second leg of their last 16 tie, 0-4). There will be no Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Henry and Ibrahimović in the Sparta Prague ranks this week.
The Champions League is coming to town
You can sense the excitement all around Stuttgart as the MHPArena prepares to host its first UEFA Champions League game since 2010.
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of VfB Stuttgart's second UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase at home to Czech champions Sparta Prague on Tuesday.
