The premier class is back in Cannstatt. In VfB Stuttgart’s first home game in the Champions League in more than 14 years, the fans provide an emotional backdrop. VfB initially delivers, but then keeps running in vain. The runner-up remains a spectacular surprise package.
The last time VfB Stuttgart played a home game in the Champions League, Instagram was new to the app store, Sebastian Vettel was still without a title in Formula 1, and young people were doing basic military or community service in the Bundeswehr. So it’s been a long time.
14 years and 7 months or 5334 days to be exact. On February 23, 2010, VfB played in the round of 16 against the big FC Barcelona on the construction site in Bad Cannstatt because the new arena was not yet finished. The team at the time included: Jens Lehmann, Serdar Tasci, Sami Khedira and Cacau – who scored the 1-0 lead and thus VfB’s last Champions League goal to date in Stuttgart. No less well-known stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol played for Barcelona’s sextuple giants, coached by Pep Guardiola. The game ended 1-1, but in the second leg Barça dismantled the Swabians 4-0 and VfB and its fans were only distant observers of the Champions League for 14 years.
VfB Stuttgart – Sparta Prague 1:1 (1:1)
Stuttgart: Nübel – Stenzel (62nd Chase), Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Karazor (76th Toure), Stiller – Millot, Undav, Leweling (84th Rieder) – Demirovic (62nd Führich). – Coach: Hoeneß
Threshold: Vindahl – Vitik, Panak, Zeleny – Preciado, Laci (70. Sadilek), Kairinen, Rynes – Birmancevic, Rrahmani (70. Olatunji), Haraslin (81. Krasniqi). – Trainer: Friis
Referee: Manfred Lukjanciuk (Lithuania)
Tore: 1:0 Millot (7th), 1:1 Kairinen (32nd)
Yellow cards: Stenzel – Kairinen
Viewers: 60,000 (sold out)
All of that is in the past. In the present, Alexander Nübel plays instead of Lehmann, Jeff Chabot instead of Tasci and Deniz Undav instead of Cacau. And the opponents on Tuesday evening were not Messi and Co, but Sparta Prague with scorer Veliko Birmancevic and keeper Peter Vindahl. Not quite as resonant, but a really tough nut to crack.
Fans are also “Back in Europe”
The fact that VfB is now back on this stage – not only many fans still have to rub their eyes. Even before the game, captain Atakan Karazor spoke of a dream he was experiencing. In 2019 he moved from Kiel to the then second division club VfB Stuttgart. Now he is leading the club onto the field in the premier class.
The anticipation for the game was huge in the city and region – despite the somewhat unusual kick-off time of 6.45 p.m. The arena sold out with 60,000 spectators. Karazor led his team onto the pitch to an emotional choreography from the fans. “Back in Europe” was written on the huge banner with white and red colors and the image of the legendary celebration by Aleksandr Hleb and Kevin Kuranyi from 2003, when Manchester United were surprised by the young wild ones in that stadium.
It wasn’t quite as wild and spectacular this time, but for the past year and a half, there has always been action when VfB is mentioned. Somewhat surprisingly, the guests initially took control of the game and immediately created two good opportunities, while the VfB defense was shaky due to initial nervousness.
Nevertheless, like against BVB, VfB got off to a furious start. Because the first dangerous action resulted in the opening goal. Once again, the in-form Jamie Leweling passed the ball to Maxi Mittelstädt from the left side. Turbo player Enzo Millot (7th) then converted his cross with a header. With your head, of all things.
Millot is finally “doing things in the front,” Deniz Undav said a week ago after the gala against BVB. “He could have scored another header, but that’s not his greatest strength,” he said at the time with a wink. Now his teammate proved Undav wrong. Sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth was also amazed in the mixed zone. “He doesn’t do that very often, it’s extraordinary.”
Stuttgart dominates the statistics
While the folk festival on the Cannstatter Wasen was raging a few hundred meters away as the crow flies, the VfB also went on its usual wild ride. But Sparta Prague and the 3,000 enthusiastic supporters who traveled with them put up a strong fight. The aluminum saved the somewhat puzzled hosts twice.
In the 32nd minute, Kaan Kairinen hit a free kick with his left foot into the top right corner. Keeper Nübel had his fingertips on it, but couldn’t prevent the goal. “A difficult situation for the goalkeeper,” Wohlgemuth commented on the situation. VfB coach Hoeneß was right with his warning about the “board” from Prague “that is coming”. The Czech champions used their counterattacks to hurt the porous VfB defense.
The Swabians had their best phase right after the restart. With the game heading towards their own home corner, VfB ignited a period of pressure with a lot of possession. Whirlwind Millot had the second goal on his feet (48th). Shortly afterwards, Sparta top scorer Veljko Birmancevic failed to score against Nübel.
The wild ride continued in Cannstatt. Wild mouse, breakdance and shake under floodlights. Chris Führich, who was again only a substitute, also tried his luck again and again. However, his rapid move inwards always ended relatively unsuccessfully. The Hoeneß team played well until the penalty area, until the end, but then the accuracy was lacking. The last offensive substitution of striker El Bilal Toure for Sixer Karazor also came to nothing. The last cheers, it was missing. Even the “Hau den Lukas” football with 76 percent ball possession and 26 to 14 goalscorers wasn’t enough for VfB.
Nobody is really satisfied
“We didn’t have the control in the first half as we imagined. We played a good second half, but in the end we missed the goal,” said Maximilian Mittelstädt in the mixed zone. Prague hedged well at the back and defended everything. “We have planned more.”
At first glance it felt “as if there was more,” said Wohlgemuth after the game. That’s why you also feel “some disappointment”. But you can definitely be satisfied with taking a point in your first home game in 14 years, the sports director continued. “In the second half we were extremely dominant. Prague made the space tight. We had fewer chances than usual at home, or rather we didn’t find the final solution.” Nevertheless, one could “live well” with the draw.
VfB once again showed problems against a low-lying opponent who defended well – as they did the weekend before against VfL Wolfsburg. “That will happen a lot this season. We have to learn to find solutions against tight spaces,” said Wohlgemuth.
Stuttgart already under pressure for playoffs
He stayed with the Prague board at Cannstatter Wasen before kick-off. “That’s why we saw the fans up close today, who once again did something extraordinary with the choreo and wanted to whip us to victory until the end. It was a very special experience.”
Left-back Mittelstädt agreed with this impression. “It was something special. Champions League at home, we’ve been working towards it for a long time, the fans were looking forward to it. It was a nice feeling for us, which of course we would have liked to have ennobled with three points.”
After the first two matchdays of the newly designed league phase of the Champions League, the pressure on the young VfB team is increasing somewhat. After the strong but pointless game at Real Madrid (1:3) and the home draw against Sparta, VfB has one point. After the eight games there will probably have to be at least eight in order to reach the playoffs.
At least the VfB supporters don’t have to wait 14 years for the next game in Cannstatt. The next home game will be against Atalanta Bergamo on November 6th. Then the folk festival will be long over, but the wild ride will probably continue.
