Disciplined defensive rows initially allow little
The defensive lines of both teams made for a rather tough phase of the game in half one. The most dangerous flank run was thanks to Union striker Sheraldo Becker, whose low cross was an idea too long for Christopher Trimmel at the second post (16th).
Stuttgart also got going. Konstantinos Mavropanos played a perfect long ball, Wataru Endo offered the deep run. The Japanese then graduated under distress over the box (17th). Even after a good half an hour, Endo set an accent and failed with a flick to Union goalkeeper Andreas Luthe (33.)
Awoniyi’s run continues
In the meantime, Union had come into play better through the well-known virtue of physical intensity – and Endo suffered a serious loss of the ball. Striker Awoniyi worked back in an exemplary manner and attacked Endo in an assault, from which Rani Khedira then heavily took the ball. In the counter-attack, Becker put down on the edge of the sixteen, from which Awoniyi transformed into the lower corner.
VfB coach Matarazzo indicated that he would have whistled the situation because of an alleged foul on Endo: “I can’t judge whether it was a hundred percent wrong decision because I didn’t see the pictures. But that is with both hands, even before he is pushed.”
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