VfB Stuttgart Stumbles in a Breezy Heidenheim Defeat
Nothing scoring, nothing dangerous - even a penalty misfired: VfB Stuttgart faced defeat in their second Bundesliga game without their star striker Serhou Guirassy. The Swabians briefly slipped from their lofty perch at the top of the table, succumbing to a 0-2 (0-0) defeat at 1. FC Heidenheim.
The struggling promoted team took the lead through a well-deserved goal by Jan Schöppner (70'). Tim Kleindienst wrapped up the win with a spectacular shot from the center circle (90+4). VfB had their best chance from the spot, but Silas missed his kick (57').
VfB had been unstoppable for over a month, with Guirassy leading the charge. They had racked up six consecutive victories before their defeat against TSG Hoffenheim. However, a setback against Heidenheim marked a disappointing end to their impressive streak. Heidenheim, meanwhile, recorded their first win in five games and put some distance between themselves and relegation trouble.
Stuttgart now sits in fourth place with 21 points, behind Bayer Leverkusen (28) and Bayern Munich (26). Their crucial home game against Borussia Dortmund, who share fourth place and face VfB in the cup, is coming up next Saturday. Guirassy might even be back in action then. VfB gave a strong showing in their cup victory against Union Berlin (1-0), showing they can succeed without their main striker.
The scenario shifted in the second half, with both teams seeing fewer chances. VfB missed their target man and wall player Guirassy, even from the penalty spot. Patrick Mainka fouled Waldemar Anton to award Stuttgart a penalty, but Silas's attempt was over the bar. The hosts continued to pressure and eventually found their moment, with Kleindienst scoring from an extraordinary distance.
Despite their recent run, VfB Stuttgart struggled to create scoring opportunities against a resilient Heidenheim side. Silas missed his crucial penalty shot, and Stuttgart wasn't able to capitalize on their foes' mistakes. In the end, Heidenheim secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory, with Kleindienst scoring a brilliant last-minute goal from the center circle. Stuttgart will look to regroup ahead of their crucial home game against Dortmund, hoping that Guirassy will be fit to lead their attack again.
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Enrichment Data:
- VfB Stuttgart's recent form has been impressive, with key adjustments to their gameplan without Serhou Guirassy and Waldemar Anton. Here are their recent results:
- Won 2-1 vs Borussia Dortmund: This win marked a significant turnaround for Stuttgart, ending a streak of losses and demonstrating their resilience
- Lost 2-1 vs Borussia Mönchengladbach: Despite the loss, this match showed that Stuttgart can compete against strong opponents
- Won 2-0 vs Mainz: A convincing win that highlighted their ability to secure victories against mid-table teams
- Won 4-0 vs Freiburg: A dominant performance that showcased their attacking prowess
- Won 2-1 vs RB Leipzig: Another crucial win that solidified their position in the top half of the table
- VfB Stuttgart's match against 1. FC Heidenheim is not specified in the provided search results, but Stuttgart has shown impressive form in recent months.
