Key Takeaways
- VfB Stuttgart netted a 96th-minute equaliser to secure a 3-3 draw away at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
- Midfielder Angelo Stiller praised his team’s ‘pure willpower’ after they fought back from a poor start.
- The result keeps Stuttgart ahead of Hoffenheim in the tight race for UEFA Champions League qualification spots.
Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has hailed the ‘pure willpower’ that drove his side to a stunning last-gasp equaliser against Hoffenheim. The Bundesliga clash ended 3-3 after the visitors found the net deep into added time.
The dramatic finish came in the 96th minute. Stuttgart had trailed for much of the contest but refused to accept defeat. Stiller spoke about the intense pressure of the situation. He said these high-stakes battles show exactly why players love football. The team began poorly, he admitted, yet their determination meant they fully deserved to share the spoils.
Between the posts, goalkeeper Alexander Nübel shared similar views. He accepted the first 45 minutes were below standard. However, he stressed that the second-half display merited something from the game. More importantly, the single point keeps their Champions League hopes alive with only two fixtures remaining.
For the hosts, the result felt like a defeat. Hoffenheim had looked certain winners after building a 3-1 advantage. They also held a numerical advantage for long periods when Stuttgart had a player sent off. Yet they could not withstand the late onslaught.
Defender Ozan Kabak remained upbeat despite the disappointment. He insisted his teammates possess the quality needed for Europe’s premier club competition. Kabak, who has Champions League experience with previous clubs, maintains that Hoffenheim will still achieve a top-four finish.
The draw leaves Stuttgart narrowly above their rivals in the table. Both sides now face a tense final fortnight as they chase a place among Europe’s elite.