PLAYER RATINGS | VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Union Berlin – the points shared as both teams leave disappointed | OneFootball

Stuttgart and Union Berlin promised an intriguing encounter as the sides met at the MHP Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts came into this one in a confident mood, having beaten both Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt since the Bundesliga returned from the winter break. Union, meanwhile, are yet to taste victory or defeat since the restart, having collected just two points from draws against Mainz at the Alte Försterei and struggling Augsburg away from home.

Sebastian Hoeneß made just one change from the side that overcame Frankfurt on Tuesday night, with a change of system seeing Ermedin Demirović make way for Nikolas Nartey. Meanwhile, Steffen Baumgart made five changes following Thursday’s last-gasp draw at Augsburg.

Stuttgart began the game strongly and created the first chance of the opening period just six minutes in, when Josha Vagnoman was played through on goal by Chris Führich, only for the full-back to be superbly denied by Frederik Rønnow.

The visitors squandered a fine opportunity of their own less than ten minutes later as Andrej Ilić beat Jeff Chabot in the air. Bearing down on goal, the Serbian forward fired his effort onto the outside of the far post.

Aside from those early chances, there was little to excite in a timid first half. Both sides had a handful of half-chances, but nothing to really trouble either Alexander Nübel or Rønnow.

Die Schwaben began the second half sharply, with Führich beating a couple of defenders and reaching the byline. Unfortunately for the German winger, his cutback could not find a teammate. Moments later, Atakan Karazor set up Deniz Undav for a one-on-one with Rønnow, but the Dane once again stood tall to deny the former Brighton man.

Union soon hit back with a couple of good chances of their own. András Schäfer’s effort was deflected and fell just out of reach of Livan Burcu. The resulting corner fell kindly for Janik Haberer but was well dealt with by the Stuttgart defence.

The hosts found the breakthrough just shy of the hour mark when Ramon Hendriks broke forward and set up Führich on the edge of the box. Still with work to do, however, he dropped a shoulder and let fly from 20 yards, superbly finding the inside of the near post.

Stuttgart couldn’t have asked for a better chance to kill the game off in the 79th minute when Undav played a delightful through ball to Angelo Stiller, who, with just Rønnow to beat, sent his effort high into the Cannstatter Kurve.

That miss soon proved costly, as two Union substitutes combined to equalise for the visitors. After a mazy run from Stanley Nsoki, the defender cut the ball back to give former Stuttgart man Woo-Yeong Jeong a simple finish into the roof of the net, giving Nübel no chance.

Jeong thought he had his second of the game minutes later and would have done so had it not been for the outstretched arm of Nübel, a remarkable save from the Paderborn native.

Both sides will likely come away with a lingering sense of disappointment at having failed to claim all three points. Had the hosts seen the game out, they would have ended the weekend back in third place in the table. Instead, they have only themselves to blame for letting their lead slip, despite having chances to extend it.

Steffen Baumgart may ultimately be the happier of the two head coaches, given the quality of chances created. However, once Union had drawn level, they too missed opportunities to go on and win the game.

Stuttgart 1–1 Union Berlin | Player Ratings

Stuttgart:

Alexander Nübel (7), Josha Vagnoman (5), Ramon Hendriks (8), Jeff Chabot (6), Maximilian Mittelstädt (6) – Atakan Karazor (6), Angelo Stiller (5) – Jamie Leweling (5), Nikolas Nartey (6), Chris Führich (8) – Deniz Undav (6)

Others: Ermedin Demirović (6), Finn Jeltsch (6), Lorenz Assignon (-), Chema Andrés (-), Jeremy Arévalo (-)

Union Berlin:

Frederik Rønnow (7) – Danilho Doekhi (6), Leopold Querfeld (6), Diogo Leite (6) – Janik Haberer (7), András Schäfer (6), Aljoscha Kemlein (6), Rani Khedira (6), Josip Juranović (5) – Andrej Ilić (5), Livan Burcu (5)

GGFN Man of the Match: Chris Führich (8)

German winger Führich bossed the game from start to finish; everything Stuttgart did well went through him. Before taking his goal brilliantly, he can count himself unlucky that he did not come away with at least one or perhaps two assists to his name also.

A performance that Führich will be hoping to grab the attention of Julian Nagelsmann as he continues his push to make it into the national team for the summer’s upcoming World Cup.

GGFN | Harry Good