Demirovic Resumes His Familiar Actions
In a closely contested match at the MHP Arena, VfB Stuttgart emerged victorious against FC St. Pauli with a 2-0 scoreline. This was the second win for the home team this season, maintaining their impressive home record.
The game started with a disappointing moment for German national player Angelo Stiller, who missed a penalty after 25 minutes. Stiller's shot fell into the category of a backpass, and he did not hold back in self-criticism, calling it "pathetic." Despite this setback, Stiller's indispensable presence on the field was evident.
The 1-0 goal came in the 43rd minute, with Ermedin Demirovic scoring his second Bundesliga goal of the season. The assist for the goal was provided by Bilal El Khannouss, a new signing for VfB Stuttgart. Demirovic wore the captain's armband in the second half, as Atakan Karazor was not in the starting lineup.
Young Spanish midfielder Chema Andres, who started in place of the slower Karazor, played like an experienced player throughout the game. He initiated the 1-0 goal and frequently proved his superiority over Stiller. In the 56th minute, Demirovic had a chance to seal the game but missed the opportunity. However, Demirovic made amends in the second half, scoring another goal to make it 2-0 for VfB Stuttgart.
VfB Stuttgart's second half performance was strong, with several chances created and saves made by Alexander Nübel. Nübel made a great save against Mathias Pereira Lage in the second half, and Louis Oppies hit the crossbar for FC St. Pauli in the 52nd minute.
The victory was never at risk, despite FC St. Pauli finding their way into the game offensively. The win was an important home victory, as another defeat could have further soured the mood in the region.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß's decision to trust youngster Chema Andres instead of the indispensable Atakan Karazor may have felt uncertain before the game, but Andres did not disappoint, outshining Stiller in the match.
With this win, VfB Stuttgart have moved up the Bundesliga table, aiming to secure a strong position for the rest of the season. The team will look to carry this momentum into their next match.
