Heidenheim (dpa) – National player Maximilian Mittelstädt was really happy after VfB Stuttgart's debut victory on the rough Ostalb. “We gave everything offensively and defensively and deserved to win.” We’re slowly getting back on track to where we want to be,” he said after his first goal of the season and VfB’s fourth competitive win in the series on the streaming service DAZN.
While coach Sebastian Hoeneß's team underlined its European Cup ambitions with a 3-1 (2-1) win at 1. FC Heidenheim and put the VfB fans in the Advent mood, 1. FC Heidenheim plunged deeper into the negative spiral. Immediately after the final whistle, FCH coach Frank Schmidt wasn't entirely happy with the decisive penalty against his team.
“The 3-1 decision decided the game,” he said. His team missed too many opportunities, but it was still the right step forward: “That’s a lot of courage.”
Mittelstädt (20th), Enzo Millot (45th + 2) and Nick Woltemade with a converted penalty (85th) ensured that Stuttgart were able to convert their Champions League momentum from 5-1 against Bern into a success. Paul Wanner (41') initially gave the hosts hope with his impressive equaliser, before Wolte made everything clear. “These are extremely important three points. “You have to win games like that,” Woltemade said.
In the end there was Heidenheim's sixth defeat in the Bundesliga in a row. While VfB can prepare for the end of the year against FC St. Pauli in a good mood, the badly hit Heidenheimers came under even greater pressure before the appearance in Bochum. There is a risk of overwintering in the relegation zone. On Thursday they will play against FC St. Gallen in the European Cup.
Schmidt: Criticism a “sign of strength”
After the defeat in the Conference League on Thursday in Istanbul (1:3), Schmidt took his team harshly to task – and defended himself for his clear criticism before the game against VfB. “Why can’t we just address things as they are?” he justified himself.
“I think it's a sign of strength when you're allowed to criticize,” said the coach: “If you play shit and don't criticize anymore, then all the alarm bells should go off.” There was a lot of praise for his men after the game.
In the midst of their unusual negative phase, the Heidenheimers fought their way into the game in the state derby and at times proved to be an unpleasant opponent as expected. Many fouls stopped the flow of the game. However, the Stuttgart team exposed their deficits and, thanks to their efficiency, got to the goal with their first dangerous attack. Unlike last time against Bern and Union, this time VfB did not fall behind and controlled the game.
VfB shows reaction to equalization
Before the surprising equalizer from the long, harmless hosts, Stuttgart almost doubled down. But a free kick from around 20 meters from Chris Führich hit the post. FCH's celebration was preceded by VfB's loss of the ball during the build-up to the game. VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel had his hand on Wanner's long-range shot, but was unable to fend it off.
Millot's mistake had started the scoreline – but the midfielder made amends before the break.
With the enthusiasm from the renewed lead, the Hoeneß team initially pushed for the third goal in the second half. But Stuttgart missed opportunities – especially through Millot. So the equalizer remained possible for the Heidenheimers. But Woltemade rewarded himself for his good performance in the end and made everything clear from the point.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:241215-930-318656/2
