Stuttgart and Hoffenheim inseparable in attritional scoreless stalemate | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart last act of the 2025 calendar year involved welcoming TSG Hoffenheim to the MHP Arena this afternoon. The two teams, both pursuing Champions League football this season, couldn't be separated on the scoreboard as it ended in a 0-0 stalemate. 

Hoffenheim took the form of the sharper side after kick-off, with Tim Lemperle posing problems for the Stuttgart rearguard. Chances were limited until the 20th-minute when Jamie Leweling picked up the ball on the left, drove past Coufal and fired just wide.

An aggressive press from Sebastian Hoeneß' side failed to bother their Sinsheim opponents dealt comfortably with it. All in all, the first half unfolded in a very physical manner. Notably, Lemperle's clash with Finn Jeltsch which was nothing short of bone-crunching. 

Leweling continued to be at the core of any creative sparks involving Stuttgart. The 24-year-old laid the groundwork for the only real chance of the half - his cross found Nicolas Nartey who squared for Tiago Tomás, but Oliver Baumann made an impressive save.

Jeltsch's race was run as the young German was replaced by Amen Al-Dakhil at the break. Hoffenheim conjured up their best scoring opportunity on the hour as Fisnik Asllani fed Albian Hajdari to strike it - Alexander Nübel was an equal match to the shot. 

The game continued to lack any structure which Hoffenheim tried to correct as Kramaric replaces Asslani. The hosts began to gain some momentum with 20 minutes remaining. Karazor headed wide from a Mittelstädt corner, while Nartey went close in the next move.

With weary legs and the clock ticking into injury time, it would've been a stretch to say either side truly wanted to win it. Stuttgart thought they snatched victory late on when Deniz Undav steered home a Führich set-piece, however the linesman's flag was raised for offside to confirm the draw.