Dream goal conceded: VfB Stuttgart misses victory against Sparta Prague

After the defeat in Madrid, VfB Stuttgart suffered another disappointment in the Champions League: they only managed one point against Sparta Prague on Tuesday.

The 1:1 (1:1) was ultimately fair because both teams had their strong phases, but also made a lot of mistakes. Enzo Millot (7th minute) scored early for VfB, Kaan Kairinen equalized in the 32nd minute.

Stuttgart also had a lot of luck at two Czech aluminum meetings.

Stuttgart’s Mittelstädt: “We made more for ourselves”

After the final whistle, national player Maximilian Mittelstädt admitted: “In the first half we didn’t have as much control as we thought we would. Then we played a good second half, but what was missing was the goal. We have planned more, but we’ll take the point with us.” “

Captain Atakan Karazor clarified: “We need consistency in our game, it’s a maturing process. We have to get there as quickly as possible, but I am confident in this team. If we get the consistency back, we’ll be difficult to hold on to.“

Before the game, Karazor had positioned himself about his future in the national team – and gave preference to Turkey over Germany. “Sporting reasons” Would have been the deciding factor for him.

Sparta Prague puts pressure on, Stuttgart scores

Completely surprisingly, Prague took control of the game right from the start. The Czechs combined fluently, put enormous pressure in the midfield and quickly found shots: Jeff Chabot had to make up for a loss of the ball by Angelo Stiller in dire need early on (2nd), then Karazor blocked Veljko Birmancevic’s shot (6th).

It was only after these wake-up call scenes that VfB came across the halfway line with consistency and was immediately rewarded: Maximilian Mittelstädt hit a measured cross from the left into the center, Millot moved in and scored the opening goal with a first-class header.

Inside post – great luck for the VfB defense

But Prague was not shocked and immediately went forward again. Almost successful: After a free kick from Kairinen, Martin Vitik easily jumped over three VfB defenders who were far too passive, but his header only landed on the inside post and bounced back into the field (13th).

It was only after almost 20 minutes that the Stuttgart team got a little more calm in their game, developed a balance in the midfield and even almost made it 2-0. However, after an excellent pass from Millot, Deniz Undav acted stubbornly and was denied by visiting keeper Peter Vindahl-Jensen instead of serving Ermedin Demirovic, who was completely free behind him.

Great free kick – Nübel flies in vain

Amazing: Just as Stuttgart got the upper hand, Sparta equalized. Kairinen scored in the 32nd minute with an excellently placed free kick from almost 25 meters in the right angle. Alexander Nübel reached for the ball, but only reached it with his fingertips and was no longer able to prevent it from hitting the ball.

Seven minutes later, Nübel would have been late again, but the aluminum saved the game for the second time: Birmancevic won the header duel in the VfB’s five-yard box, and the ball bounced off the crossbar and back into the field.

Leweling is also too stubborn

Even after the change, VfB’s game remained vague. Good phases of pressure alternated with hair-raising positional errors in the defense; in the 54th minute, Nübel had to prevent the deficit with a top save against Birmancevic, who was once again completely unguarded.

When Stuttgart then put pressure on again, stubbornness prevented a goal for the second time: Jamie Leweling had two play options after an hour, but decided to shoot into the visitors’ defensive fray.

In the last 20 minutes, Prague retreated extremely far, VfB played around the Prague penalty area like a handball game. However, the optical superiority resulted in almost no clear chances to score; only a long-range shot from substitute Fabian Rieder (86th) caused danger again.