VfB draws level with FCB
Guirassy becomes Gomez and is now making Bayern tremble
By Emmanuel Schneider, Dortmund
April 7, 2024, 10:37 a.m
VfB Stuttgart won their third game against Borussia Dortmund this season and scored big points in the race for the Champions League. Even without the suspended captain, coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s plan is working. Now Bayern suddenly have to tremble.
The match winner was Ko Serhou Guirassy fell to the ground at the final whistle and stayed there for the time being. Despite a quick carbohydrate boost, he still seemed completely exhausted even as he celebrated in front of the 8,000-strong away corner. The exhausted striker was emblematic of the Swabians’ commitment and fight in a match at eye level that ultimately lasted 100 minutes.
With the important goal to make it 1-0 (0-0) in front of 81,365 spectators, he not only equaled Mario Gomez’s club record (24 goals this season), but also gave VfB Stuttgart a valuable victory in the fight for the Champions League places Done fans a huge favor.
As soon as the final whistle blew, VfB fans jumped to the fence and showed a “Stuttgart international” banner, celebrating the success and the fairytale season so far for minutes. Because: With the victory, entry into international business is certain. It is not yet clear which competition it will be. After the 28th matchday it looks like the Champions League will be difficult.
At least the Europa League is almost certain. VfB would have to lose all six remaining games, Eintracht Frankfurt would have to win all of them at the same time and make up the goal difference in order to catch up with Stuttgart and send them into the Conference League. Fans and the club are dreaming of the first Champions League entry since 2010. “Of course we want to play in the Champions League. We have collected so many points this season and now we want to do it,” said goalkeeper Alexander Nübel on “Sky “.
Stiller surprisingly moves into the VfB central defense
The keeper was back in top form after the fatal mistake in the game against Heidenheim the previous week. “A rock in the face,” praised VfB sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth. “The calm that he radiated in front of the south stand was impressive.”
After the final whistle, Guirassy was only one thing: flat.
(Photo: IMAGO/Eibner)
The surprise third place in the league was not only thanks to its top striker and goalkeeper, but also to Sebastian Hoeneß’s brilliant plan. The VfB coach surprised with a personal castling on defense. For the suspended captain Waldemar Anton, he did not send Atakan Karazor, as many expected, but midfielder Angelo Stiller into the defense center. The 23-year-old played alongside Hiroki Ito as well as Maximilian Mittelstädt, Josha Vagnoman and Jamie Leweling in a stable five-man chain against possession. When attacking, this turned into a four-man chain.
The new central defender did his job confidently in an unfamiliar position, although he was shown a yellow card very early on (10th) and had to act more cautiously from then on. “Waldi doesn’t need to be afraid. I would like to go back to my position,” he said jokingly in the mixed zone. “It was fun, it was cool and it’s something different when no one is behind you.” The team immediately implemented the Stiller variant during training during the week, reported the VfB professional. The team then made it easy for him. VfB sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth described Stiller’s move as a “good idea”.
Leweling celebrates with kebab in the catacombs
The man, who is still on the radar of national coach Julian Nagelsmann, was definitely in demand. In the early stages, BVB repeatedly tried to use Karim Adeyemi and his speed. Nübel defused the most dangerous action in the first half with a strong save. In Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, on whose 50th birthday the BVB fans showed an impressive choreo, a balanced game developed that was less captivating by the many goal chances than by passion and fight.
As a group, VfB showed a “top defense,” explained Stiller. Wohlgemuth summed up the Swabian mentality: “We showed our teeth. We always attacked every duel.” Hoeneß also repeatedly directed his players from the sidelines and indicated where the next ball should go. From there he also saw a man from the second row showing off. After what was probably his best game in the VfB uniform game, Jamie Leweling was in a good mood in the mixed zone – with a kebab in his hand, as a sort of reward for his hard work. He was even named player of the game by VfB sports director Wohlgemuth.
Jamie Leweling and Sebastian Hoeneß.
(Photo: dpa)
Leweling had to work hard defensively and help out in an unusual position in the back five. At the same time, the 23-year-old turned up the heat on the right side in the second half and repeatedly evaded his opponent Ian Maatsen. It was Leweling who set up Guirassy’s decisive goal from the right in the 64th minute. After the cross pass, the Guinea national player hit the ball under the crossbar, Gregor Kobel only had his fingertips on it.
Hoeneß curbs the euphoria a bit
Guirassy had thought of something special for his 24th goal of the season. The attacker celebrated in the style of a bullfighter, just like club icon Mario Gomez once did. With his 24th goal he drew level with the 2007 champions. The former international also scored 24 goals in the 2008/09 season. With six games missing, it seems only a matter of time before Guirassy becomes the sole VfB record man. Even the 30 mark could still be wobbly given Guirassy’s form – he only needed 22 appearances for his 24 goals so far, with six matchdays still to go.
His goal was the only one of the evening, also because VfB missed the early decision due to almost usual negligence (Undav, Silas and Guirassy himself). At the same time, the Westfalenstadion pushed BVB further towards equalization. But the black and yellows created many balls into the penalty area, but were too harmless in the end or failed in the hands of Nübel. The free-standing Nico Schlotterbeck missed the biggest chance from a few meters in the 81st minute.
Angelo Stiller in a duel with Niclas Füllkrug.
(Photo: IMAGO/Laci Perenyi)
VfB saved their narrow lead over time and gave themselves a great atmosphere. Karazor entered the mixed zone with a thunderous laugh, then seconds later took aim at colleague Stiller during the interview. After Stiller took a swipe at him about insufficient mileage, Karazor called out the kilometers he had run. Meanwhile, Leweling reported on the musical celebration in the dressing room: “English, French, German – there was something for everyone,” said Leweling with a grin.
So where is VfB heading? “It was a brutally important step and we now have 60 points, but they won’t be enough this year. They were often enough, but we will need significantly more points this year. That’s why we are well advised to approach Frankfurt very quickly “Concentrate,” said Hoeneß, somewhat dampening his euphoria after the game. The best third-placed team in Bundesliga history is seven points ahead of Rasenballsport Leipzig and BVB after the away threesome.
VfB’s express of success is rolling into the European Cup
And suddenly VfB is even on a par with FC Bayern. Thanks to Swabian help from Heidenheim, VfB is level on points with FC Bayern in third place with six match days to go. Both clubs have 60 points in their account. But no one has mentioned the runner-up yet. “We want to stay where we are,” said Stiller cautiously.
VfB sports director Wohlgemuth also didn’t want to make an official declaration of war on FC Bayern. This current starting position sounds good, “but we have to continue to concentrate on our tasks. Next week against Frankfurt. We will do everything we can to stay up there.” On the 32nd matchday, the showdown in the southern summit will take place in Stuttgart. For FCB and VfB it’s about prestige and TV money. The last time FC Bayern came third was in 2010/11; they were worse in 2006/07. Master back then? The VfB.
After a break of over ten years, the European Cup comeback is certain. A moment to open a celebratory beer for Wohlgemuth? “We still have to fly,” said the 45-year-old. “I don’t even know if there’s alcohol on the plane. We’ll enjoy it. How – we’ll see.” Meanwhile, Stiller revealed other plans for coming down. After his first assignment as a central defender, he might want to play some more games at home, for example “Counterstrike” he revealed.
While the VfB entourage slowly said goodbye to the airport, a short time later the special train of VfB fans rolled off from platform 10 of Dortmund main station heading south. “We are the Champions” blared from the open windows. The fans roared along. Queen meets VfB. VfB’s express of success just keeps rolling this season, all the way to Europe.