VfB Stuttgart win 3-1 against promoted Darmstadt to kick off Matchday 5. Once again Guirassy was the decisive man. The Swabians did not let themselves be put off by a surprising goal behind (own goal Zagadou) – and turned the game around.
When the best offence receives the worst defence, you expect a game on one goal – and that was the case for Stuttgart against Darmstadt. The VfB, who had started unchanged after the 3:1 at 1. FSV Mainz 05, were game-dominating from kick-off – the first goal seemed to be only a matter of time.
Stuttgart dominate – Zagadou hits his own goal
It was all the more surprising that in minute 17 the Lilien, who had started with Riedel and Honsak in place of Maglica (red suspension) and Kempe compared to the 3:3 against Borussia Mönchengladbach, were jubilant. Skarke, on his first foray into the final third, passed sharply inside where Zagadou straddled the ball into his own goal.
The Swabians were unperturbed by the goal and coach Sebastian Hoeneß’ team stuck to their game plan. With long phases of possession and variable positional play, the only thing missing against Hessen’s extremely defensive 5-4-1 was a gap. This gap opened up after 22 minutes. Guirassy laid off a cross from Stenzel for Millot, who put the ball into the left corner.
VfB continue to dominate the game – Guirassy turns the game around
It was no firework of chances that VfB created, but the Swabians were still superior, Darmstadt only rarely ventured forward. Around ten minutes after the equaliser, Stuttgart were rewarded for their efforts. Guirassy turned after receiving the ball and nailed the ball into the top right corner from 17 metres (32nd). His ninth goal of the season was also the score at the break, as the attacker was unable to deflect a Stenzel cross decisively (39th).
Führich’s 3:1 concedes VAR
After the break, VfB remained dominant and had the next good opportunities through Guirassy and Silas (both 53rd). Darmstadt became a bit more courageous, but the offensive lacked penetration and tempo.
The latter was abundant for VfB and supposedly led to the 3:1. After a lightning-quick double pass by Führich and Guirassy, which the former placed in the right corner, the VAR called in and recognised that Guirassy was offside (63rd) – the goal was conceded. Only four minutes later, Guirassy failed to score after the next good move against Schuhen (67th), who was standing still for a long time, as did Millot after a fine pass by Guirassy (69th).
Guirassy’s lob for 3:1
Stuttgart took a little breather until the final stages, but then picked up the pace again from the 80th minute onwards. The substitute Undav, however, left the door open for Darmstadt after Guirassy’s cross (80th). In injury time, Guirassy finally put the lid on the game. After a pass from Stenzel, the attacker lofted over Schuhen (90.+2). The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but here too the VAR ruled in favour of VfB.
With this goal, VfB extended one series and ended another. Under Sebastian Hoeneß, there has not yet been a home defeat (four wins, three draws) and in the eighth attempt, Stuttgart finally won again against the promoted team.
On Saturday in a week’s time, Stuttgart then host 1. FC Köln (3.30 pm). For the Lilien, it continues on Sunday (01.10.) at the same time in front of a home crowd against Werder Bremen.