Five-star VfB Stuttgart come from behind to keep alive hopes of UEFA Champions League progression
VfB Stuttgart came from behind to defeat Young Boys 5-1 at the MHPArena and keep their hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout stages alive.
After picking up only four points from their opening five league phase games, Stuttgart were in desperate need of a win against pointless Young Boys to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages. However, a spanner was thrown in the works almost immediately as Łukasz Łakomy fired in with the game's first shot on target from outside the area. Despite that early setback, Stuttgart dominated the remainder of the half. Most of their opportunities fell to striker Ermedin Demirović but, although the Bosnian was not at his clinical best, Angelo Stiller was on hand to convert Josha Vagnoman's pass into the back of the net and level midway through the half. Young Boys, meanwhile, were unable to exert any real pressure, putting the hosts in a strong position to make their superiority count after the interval.
It took Stuttgart fewer than 10 minutes to complete the comeback. A VAR review was needed to determine whether Fabian Rieder had kept the ball in play, but the officiating team eventually came to the conclusion that the Switzerland international had legally passed back for Enzo Millot to slot home. That goal gave Sebastian Hoeneß's men extra confidence, and they were two to the good before too long. The third was a fabulous strike, too, as Chris Führich curled Rieder's cut-back from a free-kick into the top corner. Stuttgart were now clearly enjoying themselves, and Vagnoman added a fourth with over 20 minutes left on the clock, volleying home Millot's cross. Further gloss was added to the scoreline when substitute Yannik Keitel drove into the bottom corner from outside the area. The result sees Stuttgart move to within a point of the play-off positions, with a trip to Slovan Bratislava up next.
Match stats
Stiller's strike was his first in the Champions League, as was Yannik Keitel's
Millot has been involved in five goals in this year's competition (two goals, three assists)
This was Stuttgart's first home win in Europe since 2010, having previously gone eight games without a continental win on their own turf (D4, L4)
VfB have now won eight of their nine European games against teams from Switzerland to date, only losing away to Young Boys in the 2010/11 Europa League.
Stuttgart are unbeaten in their past four games in all competitions and have won the past three, scoring at least thrice on each occasion.
Young Boys, meanwhile, have won just one of their nine away games against German clubs in European competition (D3, L5). They are winless in all five past Champions League trips over the border (D3, L2).
Champions League League phase, Matchday 6 League phase, Matchday 6 MHPArena
Full-time: VfB Stuttgart 5-1 Young Boys
Despite going behind, Stuttgart produced a five-star display to down Young Boys. Angelo Stiller responded to Łukasz Łakomy's early opener to restore parity before half-time, and second-half goals from Enzo Millot, Chris Führich, Josha Vagnoman and Yannik Keitel secured a memorable win.
Another for Stuttgart, this time from substitute Keitel. Rieder now has a hat-trick of assists after the midfielder's drives into the corner from outside the area.
It just hasn't been Demirović's day so far. A cross finds him unmarked eight yards from goal, but his header lacks both power and precision as it trickles wide.
66'
Another for Stuttgart!
The hosts are enjoying themselves now, as Vagnoman volleys into the back of the net from Millot's fizzed cross. That is surely the three points secured now!
Stuttgart are now two to the good thanks to a beautiful first-time strike from Führich, who curls a fantastic first-time effort into the top corner following Rieder's cutback from a free-kick.
Die Schwaben completes the comeback! It takes a while to be ratified as VAR checks whether the ball went out in the build-up, but Rieder is adjudged to have kept the ball in before passing to Millot, who buries with aplomb.
Stuttgart are still enjoying plenty of possession with Keitel in place of Karazor.
46'
Wide
Another Demirović chance, but the same outcome as his attempt trickles wide. If he keeps on getting these chances, you would expect him to put one of them away.
Stuttgart are back in the game after falling behind early on. Łukasz Łakomy scored with the game's first shot on target inside 10 minutes, but from that point on, Hoeneß' men were on top and got the equaliser they deserved through Angelo Stiller midway through the half. Still all to play for in the second period.
While Demirović does well to hook a volley towards goal, it goes past the post without troubling Von Ballmoos.
25'
Stuttgart back on level terms!
The home side have been on top since Young Boys' goal, and they are now deservedly back level. Another lovely move down the right is finished off by Stiller, who slots into the net following Vagnoman's pass.
Demirović really should make Von Ballmoos work when he is found unmarked eight yards from goal, but he leans back and fires over. Die Schwaben, though, are exerting more pressure as the game progresses.
18'
Over
Karazor shoots from distance, but can't keep it down, even if it is well hit. Stuttgart are still looking for their first shot on target.
The difference
Łakomy's strike is all that separates the teams at the moment.
Demirović has his team's next opportunity. Again, though, he cannot find the target as he heads well over the crossbar.
9'
Side netting
Demirović twice beats Benito to carve himself some space after working his way into the box, but the angle is too tight for his shot and therefore doesn't trouble the goalkeeper.
6'
Young Boys in front
The first shot on target of the encounter produces the opening goal. The ball falls to Łakomy on the edge of the box, and his first-time finish leaves Nübel rooted to the spot. Work to do for the hosts.
Both teams need the three points in their attempts to reach the knockout stages and are showing their intent early on.
1'
Underway
We are up and running here in Stuttgart!
Kick-off!
In the tunnel
The teams are preparing to enter the field of play!
15 minutes to go!
Not long before kick-off!
Demirović to lead the line
Ermedin Demirović will continue to lead the line in Deniz Undav's absence. The Bosnian scored in the 5-1 defeat to Red Star Belgrade last time out in this competition, but he will be hoping to have a bigger impact on the result this time around.
Stuttgart have won seven of their eight meetings with team from Switzerland, although the only one they lost was against Young Boys in 2010/11. Still, history is on their side.
Stuttgart team news
Sebastian Hoeneß, meanwhile, makes just two changes to the team that defeated Union Berlin on Friday. Jeff Chabot comes in for Anrie Chase, while Fabian Rieder replaces Leonidas Stergious, With Josha Vagnoman returning to right-back.
Joël Magnin makes five changes to the side that lost 3-1 to FC Sion at the weekend, including a change in formation. Of those to come into the starting line-up is former Greuther Fürth striker Cedric Itten, who replaces ex-Bochum man Silvère Ganvoula.
Let's face it, if Stuttgart are to pick up all three points in tonight's league phase game, the Swabians will need to buck an unwanted home trend. The hosts have failed to win any of their last nine European games in their own backyard.
Stuttgart's record against sides from Switzerland is admirable. The team from Baden-Württemberg have won five of their six encounters against Swiss opposition, having previously faced the likes of Grasshoppers and Basel as well as Young Boys.
The MHPArena awaits!
Stuttgart's impressive stage is ready as we count down to this evening's crucial Champions League encounter at the MHPArena. VfB fans have started the day filled with anticipation that their team can do the business against Young Boys and reignite their qualification hopes.
“Stuttgart like to put their opponents under pressure. They’ve got a lot of exciting attackers such as Demirović, Rieder and Millot. We need to stay compact and utilise our opportunities on the counter. I’m impressed by the quality Stuttgart possess but I’m also confident in that of our own side.”
After facing Young Boys, Stuttgart's next two Champions League games are against Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava (away) and French champions Paris Saint-Germain (home).
Stuttgart team news
Ameen Al-Dakhil is back available for selection, but Jamie Leweling, El Bilal Touré, Deniz Undav and Dan-Axel Zagadou all remain out of action.
Sebastian Hoeneß on facing Young Boys
"We will need to show intensity, determination and hunger to overcome a Young Boys side who have dominated Swiss football in recent years. They are facing a few challenges in the league this season, but that doesn’t change their general approach. They play direct and get the ball forward quickly, and they are very active without the ball too.”
The last meeting between these two sides, back in 2010 Europa League group stages, a tractor was needed to clear the pitch lines of snow throughout the 4-2 win for Young Boys in Switzerland. Thankfully the forecast looks OK in Stuttgart this time around.
Injuries to Denis Undav and El Bilal Touré and the omission of Friday's super sub Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart's Champions League squad means that they are struggling on the attacking front in Europe. Ermedin Demirović scored his first UCL goal in the 5-1 defeat in Belgrade, and so the Bosnia international will be hoping to add to his tally in the remainder of the group stages. Otherwise, the Swabians may look to winger Chris Führich or attacking midfielder Enzo Millot to provide some much-needed goals to keep their European dreams alive.
Wednesday's fixture will be the first time Stuttgart have played Young Boys in the Champions League, and the two sides have only met on two occasions in their history: during the 2010/11 Europa League group stages. Stuttgart picked up a 3-0 victory on home soil, but then went on to suffer a 4-2 defeat in Bern.
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Watch: Stuttgart 3-2 Union - highlights
Stuttgart came out on top of a thrilling Friday-night fixture to kick off matchday 13. Despite trailing 2-0, Sebastian Hoeneß' side launched a brilliant comeback to emerge 3-2 winners against the capital city side.
VfB Stuttgart - the story so far
Stuttgart have experienced a mix of fortunes on their first Champions League appearance since 2009/10. The 5-1 defeat at Red Star Belgrade last time out was their third loss in five, but a memorable 1-0 win at Juventus and 1-1 draw against Sparta Prague means they are still within touching distance of the top 24 on four points in 27th.
The Swiss champions are currently propping up the 36-team league table after five defeats in five matches. A 6-1 loss at home to Atalanta in their most recent match was their biggest defeat so far.
Welcome!
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of VfB Stuttgart's sixth UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase at home to Young Boys on Wednesday.
