VfB Stuttgart had many good phases against the mythical Real Madrid, but missed the surprise. Despite the defeat, the Swabians gained confidence for the league duel with Dortmund.
In the end, the VfB Stuttgart fans even drowned out the legendary club anthem “Hala Madrid”. The German runners-up had not even managed to pull off a big surprise against the Champions League defending champions Real Madrid. The fans did not let the festive mood be spoiled at the biggest game in the club’s recent history – despite the 1:3 (0:0) defeat at the start of the premier class.
However, the performance and the offensive performance with many promising chances should give the Swabians momentum for the next big game: Borussia Dortmund comes to Stuttgart on Sunday (5.30 p.m./DAZN). “We want to perform like that again. We showed against the best team in the world that we were at least on par. We will approach things positively again in front of our own fans,” promised striker Ermedin Demirovic, who only came off the bench in Madrid.
Up to 15,000 Stuttgart residents in Madrid
A win would have crowned his perfect week for strike partner Deniz Undav. After his first goal for the German national team and his first goal of the season in the Bundesliga, he also scored at the famous Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
At least for a short time, the elation he felt in the catacombs of the arena was not apparent. “I’m sad because there was much, much more to this,” said the 28-year-old with his hood pulled far over his face. “We should have won and we should have.”
Immediately after the final whistle of Stuttgart’s biggest game of the past 15 years, there was great disappointment in the Swabian camp – at least on the pitch. In the stands, well over 4,000 VfB fans cheered the courageous performance and there were even up to 15,000 supporters out and about in the city. Some had applied to become Real members in order to somehow get one of the coveted tickets.
For most of the fans who travelled with the team, pride and joy at returning to the biggest stage in European club football prevailed. “I think our fans were sometimes heard more. That’s really impressive,” said sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth – also with a view to the peaceful fan march before the start of the game.
“That’s how we know her”
In the final phase, Real did what this club has been known for for decades: striking late. It was former Stuttgart player Antonio Rüdiger who put them in the lead again (83′), after Undav had equalized superstar Kylian Mbappé’s 1-0 goal (46′) in the 68th minute. In the fifth minute of injury time, Endrick increased the lead to 3-1.
“That’s how we know them. In the end they got the three points and we went back with nothing,” said defender Jeff Chabot. Wohlgemuth said that pride in the performance would soon set in. “The team showed what it is capable of. Especially when you go into a game like this with greed, passion and willingness,” said the 45-year-old.
Demirovic hopes to return to the starting eleven
Demirovic – who scored twice against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend – was substituted on when the score was 1-1. “Of course it’s bitter, but it’s the coach’s decision. He has a lot of difficult decisions to make. This time it’s me, even if I don’t like it,” said the new signing.
In the home game against BVB, a double striker with Undav and Demirovic is again conceivable. “I don’t know yet. I will continue to prove myself in training and in games and make the decision as difficult as possible for the coach,” said the former Augsburg player.
His striker colleague is hoping for a happy ending to a very eventful week for him after the sporting setback at the legendary Real Madrid. The thought of his goal still brought a smile to Undav’s face. “Emotionally, it was an incredibly great feeling.”
Source: Stern
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