VfB St. Pauli's ascent is thwarted by Demirovic and VfB's defensive efforts
VfB Stuttgart secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over FC St. Pauli, halting the latter's bid to climb to the top of the Bundesliga table. The decisive goals came from Ermedin Demirovic and Bilal El Khannouss.
The spotlight has been on Demirovic since the departure of Nick Woltemade to Newcastle United and the injury of Deniz Undav. With 15 league goals last season and four goal contributions this season, Demirovic proved to be a valuable asset for Stuttgart.
The match started with a tense atmosphere, with both teams displaying determination. St. Pauli's best chance came in the 52nd minute when Oppie's shot hit the crossbar, saving the day for Stuttgart.
Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel was tested several times but remained unbeaten, showcasing his prowess between the posts. The Stuttgart defense, particularly Eric Smith, had a busy day, dealing with numerous attacks from St. Pauli.
Angelo Stiller missed a penalty and a chance in front of the guest goalkeeper during the match, but no further goals were awarded due to offside positions. St. Pauli struggled to find a finishing touch after the break, conceding the next setback.
Vasilj saved his sixth penalty in his Bundesliga career out of seven attempts, denying Stiller the equaliser. The most dangerous moment for Stuttgart came when defender Jeff Chabot cleared a cross towards his own goal for a corner.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß made a bold change by starting Chema Andrés, who scored the winning goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the only previous season victory. Andrés repaid Hoeneß's faith by scoring the lead for Stuttgart. El Khannouss added the second goal to seal the victory.
The victory was the "peace" desired by coach Hoeneß, as the team had been struggling at the start of the season. Fabian Wohlgemuth, the sporting director of VfB Stuttgart, represented the team in his statement on Sky, praising the team's improved energy and running in the match.
The loss marks St. Pauli's first defeat of the season against VfB Stuttgart. FC St. Pauli attempted to score mostly through the wings but rarely found a teammate with their crosses. Stuttgart, on the other hand, showed a more cohesive performance, capitalising on their chances.
The victory brings Stuttgart closer to safety, while St. Pauli will need to regroup and find their form to maintain their push for the top of the table. The Bundesliga continues to offer exciting matches as the season progresses.
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