VfB Stuttgart: Game with ups and downs - frustration after a penalty discussion

VfB Stuttgart: Game with ups and downs - frustration after a penalty discussion

Stuttgart-VfB Stuttgart has put a very unfortunate start into the new Bundesliga season. In a spectacular duel against 1. FSV Mainz 05, the teams separated with a competitive 3: 3 (2: 1). Although the Stuttgart team was 2-0 early, they had to compensate for the final phase of the game. This appearance reveals doubts about the runner -up of the runner -up and causes discussions about the referee performance.

coach Sebastian Hoeneß said dissatisfied after the game about the defensive work of his team, which already conceded a total of six goals in the first two games of the season. "These are definitely too many," he complained, and too clearly expressed the enormous pressure that was on his young squad. The challenges in the opening game against SC Freiburg and the latest match against Mainz show that VfB still has a lot of work in front of it.

early hopes and late drama

The game could hardly have started better for Stuttgart. Enzo Millot put the hosts in the lead in the 8th minute, followed by Jamie Leweling, who increased to 2-0 just seven minutes later. With 59,000 spectators in the back, everything seemed to be a clear home win. But the Swabians let the Mainz back into play, after Nadiem Amiri achieved equalization in the 43rd minute by penalty and Jonathan Burkardt in the 62nd minute. However, VfB fought back and scored the lead again in the 88th minute by Fabian Rieder, who laying on an unfortunate free kick gate. But the cheers were short -lived, because in added time Maxim Leitsch scored the last goal for the guests, which the draw sealed.

The Stuttgart team had set high expectations after the clear cup victory over Prussia Münster. But the recent loss of points brings frustrating memories with it, especially after the defense has been lifted several times. Sports board member Fabian Wohlgemuth emphasized that it was already "striking" that the team had "gave the game out of hand" in both games. This shows above all the uncertainties in the defense that should be remedied urgently in the coming weeks.

referee and controversial scenes

Another topic that made the mind boiled up was the referee decision in the second half. Among the Stuttgarters there was great confusion about the scene, which led to the penalty for the Mainz. Both Wohlgemuth and Hoeneß agreed that the decision was "too little for a penalty". Burkardt, who came down in the running duel, expressed that he had "felt a contact", but was not sure what exactly happened. The coach of the Mainzer, Bo Henriksen, defended both his player and referee Timo Gerach and described the performance of the referee as "very good" in view of the difficult decisions that had to be made.

The Stuttgart frustration is understandable because they have to strictly improve in order to be competitive in the upcoming games of the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The next challenges are waiting for VfB in the form of Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, both in the national competition and against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The hurdles are high and the competition is strong.