Stuttgart edge Dortmund on Kovač's debut | OneFootball

VfB Stuttgart ruin Niko Kovač's Borussia Dortmund debut

A Waldemar Anton own goal and strike from Jeff Chabot saw VfB Stuttgart ruin Niko Kovač's debut as Borussia Dortmund coach with a 2-1 win at Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund 1-2 VfB StuttgartGoals: 0-2 Anton o.g. 50', 0-2 Chabot 61' (assist: Leweling), 1-2 Brandt Red card: Ryerson 90'

The first half was a cagey affair with both teams creating chances. Stuttgart started brightly, with Jamie Leweling forcing a save in the sixth minute and Chabot seeing a header from a free-kick find the back of the net, only for the offside flag to deny him. Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens looked lively, testing Alexander Nübel with long-range efforts in the 22nd and 27th minutes. Stuttgart's best opportunity came through Deniz Undav, who found himself through on goal in the 36th minute, only to be thwarted by a last-ditch tackle from Emre Can. The teams went into the break level, with Dortmund having enjoyed 66 percent possession, but Stuttgart looking dangerous on the counter.

Emre Can and Chris Führich engage in an aerial duel, exemplifying the match's intensity (INA FASSBENDER)

Stuttgart strike twice after the break

The deadlock was broken five minutes into the second half when ex-VfB captain Anton inadvertently turned Chris Führich's cross into his own net. Stuttgart doubled their lead in the 61st minute when Chabot volleyed home his first Bundesliga goal from close range after a Leweling cross. The visitors' clinical finishing stood in stark contrast to Dortmund's wastefulness, as the hosts continued to dominate possession without finding the breakthrough.

Jeff Chabot scored his first Bundesliga goal to double Stuttgart's lead in Dortmund. (INA FASSBENDER)

Dortmund's late push falls short

Kovač made tactical changes, bringing on Maximilian Beier for Karim Adeyemi in the 71st minute to bolster the attack. Gittens came agonisingly close in the 68th minute, his shot tipped onto the crossbar by Nübel. The hosts finally found the net in the 81st minute when Brandt curled a low shot into the bottom corner following a well-worked corner routine. The goal set up a frantic finale, with Dortmund throwing everything forward in search of an equaliser. However, their task was made harder when Julian Ryerson received a second yellow card in the 89th minute, reducing the hosts to 10 men. Despite six minutes of added time, Stuttgart held firm to secure a valuable away victory that keeps them in the hunt for UEFA Champions League qualification again. BVB remain in the bottom half of the table with 21 games played.

Player of the Match: Jeff Chabot

The Stuttgart centre-back emerged as the standout performer, not only for his crucial goal but also for his solid defensive display. The 25-year-old was a rock at the back, making several crucial interventions to keep Dortmund at bay. His first Bundesliga goal couldn't have come at a better time, ultimately proving to be the winner in this high-stakes encounter. Chabot's performance epitomised Stuttgart's resilient and clinical approach, which saw them overcome Dortmund's possession dominance to secure a memorable victory.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Dortmund 0.97 - Stuttgart 0.31Fastest player: Karim Adeyemi (Dortmund), 33.8 km/hLowest goal probability: 1-2 by Julian Brandt (Dortmund), 3 percentMost pressed player: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Dortmund), 24 times under pressurePass efficiency: Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund), +4.06

Fantasy Heroes: Julian Brandt (Dortmund, 246 Points), Jeff Chabot (Stuttgart, 247 Points), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Dortmund, 225 Points)

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