dVfB Stuttgart successfully managed their frustration after the bitter elimination in the DFB Cup and underlined their ambitions in the Champions League. The Swabians beat the penultimate team in the standings on Sunday FSV Mainz 05 3:1 (2:0) and consolidated third place in the standings with the third consecutive victory in the league. The advantage over fifth-placed RB Leipzig is now six points.
Two goals in three minutes from Maximilian Mittelstädt (45th + 2) and Jamie Leweling (45th + 5) paved the way for what was finally the 14th undisputed success of the season when top scorer Serhou Guirassy returned. National team candidate Deniz Undav (73') made the decision in front of 52,500 spectators, before Ludovic Ajorque at least got the last point. Mainz was successful (76th).
Rheinhessen, on the other hand, is the only team in the league still waiting for its first away win this season and is in serious danger of relegation. The difference with first place outside of relegation is now nine points.
Warning about the inhabitants of Mainz
Initially the game was difficult to get up and running. On the one hand, because both teams could not find a space. On the other hand, due to protests by fans against the accession of investors to the German football league. That is why the match had to be interrupted in the early stages.
Tennis balls and other objects continued to fly across the grass. Referee Deniz Aytekin waited before sending both teams to the benches. It wasn't until almost a quarter of an hour later that things continued and how: after a cross, Merveille Papela missed from very close range and made it 1-0 for the visitors.
VFB coach honesty He expected a reaction after the 2-3 defeat in the cup quarterfinals against Bayer Leverkusen and warned against Mainz. “The table does not reflect what awaits us. We need superior performance,” he said. However, at first his team found it difficult to put his words into practice. National player Chris Führich was still one of the assets.
the visiting team Jan Siewert He did not hide and advanced to the goal of Fabian Bredlow, who was replacing the sick goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, mainly through counterattacks. At the last moment, Stenzel cleared the ball against newcomer Jessic Ngankam (37th).
In VfB's best chance before taking the lead, Führich did it alone Robin Zentner still too playful. The fans were still able to celebrate before the break: in long added time, Stenzel's cross beat three defenders and reached Mittelstädt, who scored for the second league game in a row. Soon after, Leweling grew up and Stenzel once again shone as a pioneer.
Mainz's resistance seemed broken after the two setbacks. The chants from our own fans at the start of the second half: “We want to see you fight” did not provoke a decisive reaction, although the changes in the offensive caused at least a small boost.
The hosts had a completely different image of themselves. Even after the break they took control and looked for openings. But it was almost half an hour before things became really dangerous again. Undav gave Zentner no chance to defend himself. The Rhenish Hessians rebelled again and approached again through Ajorque. But they couldn't score another goal.