News Focus
- Stuttgart defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in a crucial Bundesliga match
- The victory moves Stuttgart into fourth place with one game remaining
- They will secure Champions League qualification by beating Frankfurt next week
- Ermedin Demirović and Deniz Undav scored for the home side
- Maximilian Mittelstädt converted a penalty before half-time
Stuttgart took a big step towards the Champions League after coming from behind to beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 on Saturday. The home side showed great spirit to recover from an early goal and control the match.
The visitors scored after just 35 seconds. Ibrahim Maza won the ball near the halfway line and passed to Christian Kofane. He set up Aleix García, who fired past Alexander Nübel to give Leverkusen the lead.
Stuttgart replied almost immediately. Good teamwork between Jamie Leweling and Nikolas Nartey created space for Ermedin Demirović. The striker kept calm and placed the ball past Mark Flekken to make it 1-1.
The game moved quickly. Stuttgart nearly went ahead when Chris Führich crossed for Demirović, but Edmond Tapsoba made a great block to stop him.
Just before half-time, Stuttgart won a penalty. Tapsoba fouled Demirović in the box after a VAR check. Maximilian Mittelstädt scored the spot-kick to put his team 2-1 up at the break.
The hosts thought they had scored again soon after half-time when Demirović found the net. However, VAR ruled out the goal because Deniz Undav was offside in the build-up.
The important third goal came just before the hour mark. Jamie Leweling sent in a fine cross from the right, and Undav got between two defenders to tap the ball home. This was his 19th goal of the season.
Leverkusen found it hard to create chances as Stuttgart kept the ball. The home defence stayed strong despite some late anger from the visitors. Stuttgart held on to claim three important points.
The result puts Stuttgart in fourth place on the table. They will secure a spot in next season’s Champions League if they beat Frankfurt in their final match. Leverkusen must now win their last game and hope other results help them to reach the top four.