Stuttgart run riot in commanding victory over HSV

Stuttgart run riot in commanding victory over HSV

The result represents a significant boost in the race for the top four, with Stuttgart responding to the pressure applied from RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen by climbing back into third place with their impressive 4-0 victory.

The opening stages were tightly contested, with clear-cut chances at a premium as both sides battled for control and looked to impose themselves on the game.

Stuttgart broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with their first meaningful opportunity, capping off a slick team move. Ramon Hendriks initiated the attack before Deniz Undav linked up with Jamie Leweling, whose cut-back found Angelo Stiller arriving in the box. The midfielder made no mistake, dispatching a first-time finish with his left foot beyond Daniel Heuer Fernandes.

HSV threatened a response shortly after, with Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer forcing Alexander Nübel into two smart saves in quick succession. However, it was Stuttgart who struck again.

On 32 minutes, HSV’s attempt to play out from the back proved costly. Stiller pounced to regain possession and fed Undav, who cleverly backheeled into the path of Ermedin Demirović. The striker then slipped the ball through to Chris Führich, who calmly guided his finish into the far corner to double the hosts’ advantage.

Undav came close to adding a third just before the interval after more good work from Leweling, but Warmed Omari produced a crucial block to keep the deficit at two heading into the break.

Stuttgart carried their momentum into the second half, continuing to dictate proceedings and pin HSV back in search of a decisive third goal.

It arrived 11 minutes after the restart in spectacular fashion. Following a recycled corner, Führich picked out Maximilian Mittelstädt, who unleashed a strike from around 30 yards. A slight deflection off Jordan Torunarigha sent the ball skidding into the bottom corner, wrong-footing Heuer Fernandes and effectively putting the game beyond doubt.

With confidence flowing, Stuttgart maintained relentless pressure. Mittelstädt, Führich and Stiller all threatened to add further gloss to the scoreline, while Demirović saw a goal ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

The hosts were handed a golden opportunity to extend their lead with ten minutes remaining when Omari brought down substitute Tiago Tomás inside the area. However, Undav was unable to convert from the spot, sending his penalty high and wide.

Stuttgart would not be denied a fourth, though. Substitute Bilal El Khannouss put the finishing touch on a superb afternoon, combining neatly on the edge of the box before firing a strike that took a wicked deflection off Omari and looped over Heuer Fernandes.

It capped a miserable outing for HSV, while Stuttgart’s emphatic response to their recent defeat against Borussia Dortmund reinforces their top-four credentials. For the visitors, the result marks a second loss in four matches and extends their winless run to four, leaving them six points adrift of the relegation play-off spot.