Demirović shines as Stuttgart thrash Bochum | OneFootball

Ermedin Demirović's hat-trick helps Stuttgart to commanding 4-0 victory over Bochum

A much-changed Stuttgart side secured a convincing 4-0 victory away in Bochum, with Ermedin Demirović providing a hat-trick and Atakan Karazor pulling the strings from midfield to help keep their hopes of European qualification alive.

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Bochum 0-4 StuttgartGoals: 0-1 Chabot 8’ (assist: Karazor), 0-2 Demirović 11‘ (assist: Karazor), 0-3 Demirović 48‘ (assist: Hendriks), 0-4 Demirović 86‘ (assist: Stergiou)

Stuttgart arrived at the Ruhrstadion looking to bounce back from a string of disappointing results to keep their hopes of Europe alive for next season, while Bochum were eager to climb out of the automatic relegation places. A gripping Bundesliga clash was on the cards, with both teams determined to secure vital victories in the context of their seasons.

Jeff Chabot and Atakan Karazor celebrate their early goal which got them off to a flying start. (IMAGO/Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images)

Stuttgart wasted no time asserting their dominance, stunning the home crowd with two quick-fire goals in the opening minutes. Jeff Chabot broke the deadlock in the 8th minute, capitalising on a well-delivered corner from Atakan Karazor. Just three minutes later, Ermedin Demirović doubled the lead, finishing clinically after another superb assist from Karazor. Bochum, shell-shocked by the early onslaught, struggled to find their footing in the match.

Timo Horn of Bochum could only watch on after Demirović's delicate chipped finish doubled Stuttgart's advantage early on in the game. (Christof Koepsel/GettyImages)

As the first half progressed, Stuttgart continued to dominate proceedings. Fabian Rieder came agonisingly close to extending the lead, his powerful strike from outside the box rattling the post in the 30th minute. Bochum's best chance came through Felix Passlack, whose header narrowly missed the target. Despite enjoying more possession, the home side struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised Stuttgart defence.

Captain Karazor provided two assists in the first half. That's the first time he's managed to do so in a Bundesliga match ever. (IMAGO/UWE KRAFT)

Stuttgart started the second half as strongly as they had the first, with Demirović striking again in the 48th minute. The Bosnian striker latched onto a precise cross from Ramon Hendriks to make it 3-0, effectively ending Bochum's hopes of a comeback. Demirović was in scintillating form, causing constant problems for the Bochum defence with his movement and finishing. The host's misery was compounded when they had a goal disallowed on the hour mark, with the referee ruling that Alexander Nübel had been fouled in the build-up.

Alexander Nübel didn't have much to do over the course of the afternoon, but he dealt with any Bochum threats well when they came. (IMAGO/Jan Huebner)

As the match entered its final stages, both teams made several substitutions. Stuttgart introduced El Bilal Touré for Nick Woltemade in the 67th minute, while Bochum brought on Moritz Broschinski for Gerrit Holtmann a minute later. The changes did little to alter the flow of the game, with Stuttgart maintaining their dominance. The visitors' persistence paid off in the 85th minute when Demirović completed his hat-trick, capping off a memorable individual performance and sealing an emphatic 4-0 victory.

The match saw two yellow cards in quick succession late in the game, with Bochum's Ibrahima Sissoko and Stuttgart's Rieder both cautioned in the 79th and 80th minutes respectively. These bookings reflected the intensity of the contest, with both being awarded for tactical fouls, even as Stuttgart's victory was all but assured. The result was a fair reflection of Stuttgart's dominance, with the team creating numerous chances throughout the match and defending resolutely when called upon.

Player of the Match: Ermedin Demirović

Demirović delivered a masterclass in finishing, netting an impressive hat-trick to lead Stuttgart to victory. His first goal came after 11 minutes, which established him as a threat for the rest of the match. He then demonstrated his predatory instincts with a well-taken second shortly after half-time. Demirović capped off his stellar performance with a late third, showcasing his consistency throughout the game and insatiable hunger for goals. His movement, link-up play, and clinical finishing were instrumental in Stuttgart's dominant display.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Bochum 1.16 - Stuttgart 2.88Fastest player: Gerrit Holtmann (Bochum), 35.43 km/hLowest goal probability: 0-1 by Jeff Chabot (VFB), 27 percentMost pressed player: Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart), 21 times under pressurePass efficiency: Chris Führich (Stuttgart), +2.64

Fantasy Heroes: Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart, 437 Points), Ramon Hendriks (Stuttgart, 285 Points), Atakan Karazor (Stuttgart, 284 Points)

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