Leverkusen score in the 1st minute — Stuttgart reply in the 5th
MHPArena was buzzing before kick-off and the action started immediately. Bayer Leverkusen stunned the home crowd with a goal in the very first minute — Schick or Maza striking before fans had settled into their seats. A difficult evening for Stuttgart seemed to be in the making.
But Stuttgart replied in the 5th minute — Undav or Demirovic made it 1-1 and the match changed completely. From that point the home side took over, controlling 52% of the ball and pushing Leverkusen deeper and deeper.
Two Stuttgart goals — in the 45th and 58th minutes
Right on half-time, in the 45th minute, Demirovic or Fuhrich made it 2-1 — MHPArena erupted. Stuttgart kept the intensity after the break and in the 58th minute added the third — 3-1. Leverkusen, despite five shots on target, could not find a way back. Flekken made five saves but Stuttgart were simply the better side on the day.
There is an irony worth noting: a week earlier Leverkusen dismantled RB Leipzig 4-1 in style. Now they received the same treatment from Stuttgart. That is the Bundesliga.
Stuttgart hold firm in fourth
VfB Stuttgart now sit on 61 points and comfortably hold 4th place. Undav and Demirovic are one of the most dangerous striking partnerships in the league — in this match they were unplayable. Leverkusen slip to 6th and lose ground in the race for European football.
Match stats
Stuttgart: 19 shots (8 on target), 52% possession, 2 yellow cards. Leverkusen: 7 shots (5 on target), 48% possession, 1 yellow card. Nübel: 4 saves. Flekken: 5 saves.