BUNDESLIGA PLAYER RATINGS | Heidenheim 3-3 VfB Stuttgart – Late Deniz Undav goal rescues point | OneFootball

Following Thursday night’s comfortable 4-1 victory over Celtic in the Europa League, VfB Stuttgart’s attention turned back to the Bundesliga’s race for a Champions League spot. They travelled to the league’s bottom club, Heidenheim, who now, thanks to St. Pauli’s win over Werder Bremen earlier in the day, look as though they are being cut adrift from the rest of the pack.

Heidenheim made just two changes to the team that were beaten by Augsburg last time out. Sebastian Hoeneβ meanwhile made sweeping changes with the second leg against the Scottish Champions in mind, despite the three-goal advantage, with the likes of Deniz Undav, Jamie Lewelling and Atakan Karazor all dropping to the bench.

The visitors got off to a lightning start when a mistake in the Heidenheim backline set Chris Führich through one-on-one with Diant Ramaj, the German winger dispatching comfortably past the Dortmund loanee.

A key feature of Frank Schmidt’s Heidenheim, though, is that they never give up, and they were back in the game 20 minutes in through an excellent finish from Eren Dinkçi, giving Alexander Nübel no chance.

Goalscorer Führich gave Heidenheim a scare a few minutes later with a snapshot from the edge of the area, forcing a good stop from Ramaj.

In a remarkable turn of events on the half-hour mark, Stuttgart’s captain on the night, Ermedin Demirović thought he had restored his side’s lead. However, the goal was ruled out,and a penalty was awarded to Heidenheim at the other end.

Maximilian Mittelstädt was adjudged to have fouled Dinkçi seconds before Demirović’s strike. Arijon Ibrahimović stepped up and made no mistake, converting the spot-kick to give Heidenheim the lead.

Before the first half came to an end, Stuttgart had a chance for some reprieve when they were awarded a penalty of their own after Chema Andrés was fouled by Christian Conteh. Mittelstädt dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner to make up for his earlier mistake.

The second half began in much the same vein as the first, with both sides having chances to retake the lead but squandering them in turn.

Midway through the second period, Demirović once again thought he had his customary goal after heading home from an Angelo Stiller free kick, only for it to be ruled out again for an offside by the barest of margins.

With frustration growing in the Stuttgart ranks, a momentary lapse in concentration at the back saw Heidenheim break through Ibrahimović. The on-loan Bayern winger’s shot was saved by Nübel, but not cleared from the danger area, Sirlord Conteh followed up and fired home to give the home side the lead with just minutes to go.

Stuttgart were not done yet, however and responded moments later, with substitutes Nikolas Nartey and Deniz Undav combining to draw level. Nartey found Undav free inside the box; the former Brighton forward made the finish look easy, sending his shot past the outstretched Ramaj.

Undav immediately had the chance to give his side the lead as the clock ticked over into six minutes of stoppage time. He was again set through by Nikolas Nartey, but perhaps tried to beat one man too many as he eventually got a shot away, but was unable to really trouble Ramaj.

Unwilling to settle for a point, Stuttgart had one last chance when Jeff Chabot let fly from a good 30 yards out; however, his thunderous effort smacked the post before being cleared.

When the full-time whistle blew to bring the pulsating game to an end, it was clear the result did little to help either side. This frustration was evident as managers Schmidt and Hoeneβ were seen remonstrating passionately in the centre circle. The point leaves Heidenheim rooted to the foot of the table, now six points from safety, while Stuttgart remain in fourth, two points ahead of Leipzig.

Heidenheim 3–3 Stuttgart | Player Ratings

Heidenheim:

Diant Ramaj (6) – Patrick Mainka (6), Benedikt Gimber (6), Tim Siersleben (6) – Arijon Ibrahimović (6), Jan Schöppner (6), Julian Niehues (6), Hennes Behrens (6) – Eren Dinkçi (7), Christian Conteh (6) – Marvin Pieringer (6)

Others: Omar Haktab Traoré (6), Sirlord Conteh (6), Stefan Schimmer (6), Adam Kölle (-), Niklas Dorsch (-)

Stuttgart:

Alexander Nübel (6) – Lorenz Assignon (5), Ramon Hendriks (6), Jeff Chabot (6), Maximilian Mittelstädt (6) – Angelo Stiller (6), Chema Andrés (7) – Tiago Tomás (6), Bilal El Khannouss (6), Chris Führich (7) – Ermedin Demirović (6)

Others: Deniz Undav (7), Nikolas Nartey (7), Jamie Lewelling (6), Atakan Karazor (-), Josha Vagnoman (-)

GGFN Man of the Match | Chris Führich (7)

In truth, the man of the match award in this crazy game could have gone to one of several players, but Führich takes it thanks to his brilliant goal and set up play in the first half.

Ermedin Demirović can consider himself unlucky to come away from today’s game without a goal; on another day, both may have counted.

GGFN | Harry Good