Bundesliga: Stuttgart qualifies for the Champions League

The Frankfurters missed out on entry into the Conference League in what was probably their last game under coach Albert Riera and, as eighth, will not play internationally for the first time since the 2020/21 season. Because SC Freiburg defeated RB Leipzig 4-1 at the same time, even a win wouldn’t have been enough.

Chema Andrés scored the lead for VfB in the 10th minute with a header from a corner from World Cup candidate Chris Führich. Shortly before the break, Nikolas Nartey increased the score to 2-0 (45th+4). Substitute Jonathan Burkardt, of all people, ensured a conciliatory conclusion with two penalties (72./90.+2).

The attacker was fined before the duel with VfB. According to media reports, he is said to have insulted Riera, whose days as Frankfurt’s head coach are likely to be numbered. “We want to give everything we can to win today, and then we’ll see at the end,” said sports director Markus Krösche before the game on the Dazn streaming service. A clear confession sounds different.

Burkardt will initially remain on the bench at Frankfurt

But it wasn’t just the coaching debate in Frankfurt that caused a stir before the duel, but also the referee appointment. VfB had a reunion with referee Tobias Welz, who refereed his last Bundesliga game. After Stuttgart’s DFB Cup semi-final against SC Freiburg (2-1 after extra time), Welz was sharply criticized, particularly by Deniz Undav (“I don’t like him anyway”).

Welz’s kick-off in the duel between the traditional clubs took longer than planned. Both fan camps set off Bengalos, rockets and firecrackers, among other things. Due to the thick fog over the pitch, the game started with a few minutes delay. According to the stadium spokesman, two spectators in the home area were injured.

On the pitch, both teams only played briskly in the early stages. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya had the first opportunity, but was denied by Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel (3rd). His future at FC Bayern Munich is more uncertain than ever after his loan ended in the summer. On Friday, the German record champions announced the contract extensions with Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich.

Nübel’s teammates laid the foundation for Champions League qualification in the early stages. After Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer was able to prevent Führich from falling behind (8th), he had no chance when Chema Andrés headed the ball. A few seconds before the half-time whistle, Nartey made it 2-0 on an assist from Undav.

After the break, the game was very boring. The Stuttgart team seemed satisfied with the two-goal lead, the Frankfurt team lacked any creativity and inspiration in their offensive game. Nübel then brought the Hessians back into the game because he wandered completely clumsily out of his goal, came too late against Burkardt and brought him down in the penalty area. The striker then confidently converted the penalty – as well as the penalty in stoppage time after a handball by Chema Andrés.