Stuttgart crush Leipzig's European hopes | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart stun RB Leipzig to end hosts' European dreams

VfB Stuttgart staged an impressive comeback to down RB Leipzig and leave the hosts without European competition for the first time next season after Die Roten Bullen fell to their worst-ever Bundesliga finish.

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RB Leipzig 2-3 VfB StuttgartGoals: 1-0 Xavi 8’ (assist: Baku), 1-1 Undav 23’ (assist: Woltemade), 2-1 Baku 44’, 2-2 Woltemade 57’ (assist: Mittelstädt), 2-3 Demirović 78’ (assist: Undav)

Prior to kick-off, the hosts knew a win would give them a chance of finishing in the top six. With home fans' ears tuned to what was happening between fellow European hopefuls Mainz and second-placed finishers Bayer Leverkusen all the while, they witnessed Die Roten Bullen make the perfect start under interim coach Zsolt Lőw here.

Xavi's 10th Bundesliga goal of the season was worth the entrance fee. (IMAGO/PICTURE POINT / Roger Petz)

Simons' stunner sets the tone

RBL's star man Xavi broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. The Dutch midfielder scored with an audacious backheel in the eighth minute, finishing off a well-worked move involving Ridle Baku.

However, DFB Cup finalists Stuttgart refused to be cowed. Deniz Undav equalised in the 23rd minute with a close-range header from Maximilian Mittelstädt's cross. Just when it seemed the teams would go into the break level, Baku restored Leipzig's lead on the stroke of half-time, slotting home after Simons' initial effort was palmed into the air by VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel.

Nick Woltemade (c.) made his height count to pull VfB level once more. (JM)

Stuttgart's second-half surge

The second half saw Stuttgart come out with renewed determination under Sebastian Hoeneß's guidance. Their efforts were rewarded in the 57th minute when Nick Woltemade headed home from Mittelstädt's corner, the striker scoring in his third consecutive Bundesliga match for the first time.

As news filtered through from Mainz, Leipzig knew they needed to keep their noses in front to be assured of anything. However, it was Stuttgart who found the decisive goal. In the 78th minute, substitute Ermedin Demirović fired home from inside the box, sealing a memorable victory for the visitors and ending Leipzig's European dreams. It was a bitter blow for the hosts, who will now play no part in next season's UEFA Conference League final, which be played at the Red Bull Arena.

For a jubilant VfB, meanwhile, it's on to Berlin and next weekend's DFB Cup final against Arminia Bielefeld.

Demirović (l.) applied a calm finish for Stuttgart's winning goal. (IMAGO/Hansjürgen Britsch)

Player of the Match: Nick Woltemade

Woltemade's performance was instrumental in Stuttgart's comeback victory. The young forward not only scored the crucial equaliser but was a constant threat throughout the match. His goal, a well-placed header from a corner, demonstrated his aerial prowess and ability to deliver in key moments. Woltemade's third consecutive Bundesliga goal underlines his importance to the team.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: RB Leipzig 1.14 - VfB Stuttgart 2.58Fastest player: Josha Vagnoman (VFB), 35.99 km/hLowest goal probability: 2-2 by Woltemade (VFB), 10.67 percentMost pressed player: Xavi (RBL), 24 times under pressurePass efficiency: Jeff Chabot (VFB), +2.49

Fantasy Heroes: Xavi (Leipzig, 334 Points), Baku (Leipzig, 327 Points), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart, 292 Points)

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