Sparta Prague shocks with a dream goal: VfB Stuttgart continues to pay lessons in the premier class

Sparta Prague shocks with a dream goal
VfB Stuttgart continues to pay lessons in the premier class

October 1, 2024, 8:37 p.m

Two weeks ago, VfB Stuttgart impressed in their return to the premier class. But they lose 3-1 to defending champions Real Madrid. They lead early against Sparta Prague in their home comeback after over 14 years. They throw everything into it, but the longed-for threesome is still a long time coming.

The VfB professionals stood a little perplexed on the Stuttgart pitch and didn’t really look happy. Even an attack in the second half with over 70 percent possession of the ball did not bring the Swabians the victory they had hoped for in their first Champions League home game in more than 14 years. The German soccer runner-up didn’t get more than a 1-1 draw against Sparta Prague and only has one point after two match days in the new league phase.

Two weeks after the unfortunate 3-1 defeat at Spanish defending champions Real Madrid, Enzo Millot gave VfB the lead in the seventh minute. Kaan Kairinen (32nd) scored a dream goal in front of 60,000 spectators to score the well-deserved equalizer for the Czech champions and cup winners.

“At first it felt as if there was a bit more possible. The first half was mixed and could be improved, the second was extremely dominant. But we didn’t find the space. Ultimately, we can live with the 1-1. After so many years it was a special experience,” said sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth.

Wonderful choreo from the Stuttgart fans

“Back in Europe” was written on a large banner in the VfB fan curve. For the first time in 5,334 days, the famous premier class anthem was heard again in the Stuttgart Arena. The “brutal” anticipation that captain Atakan Karazor had expressed in the team could also be felt in the stands. And VfB got the dream start they had hoped for.

Millot, who had already been the outstanding man in the furious 5-1 win in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund a week and a half earlier, headed a cross from Maximilian Mittelstädt over the line from close range to make it 1-0 early. However: The lead didn’t really fit the course of the game. Sparta was initially the better team. Offensively, the guests sometimes lacked precision and sometimes luck – as when Martin Vitik hit the post (13th).

The Swabians rarely brought the dynamic that characterizes the Stuttgart game and which guest coach Erik Friis had explicitly pointed out to the pitch in the first half. In the middle of the phase in which they at least seemed to have taken control, the equalizer fell. Kairinen put a wonderful free kick into the top right corner.

Like once against Barcelona

The game remained entertaining. VfB continued to have problems against the Czechs, who had already beaten RB Salzburg 3-0 at the start of the league phase – and were once again very lucky. Veljko Birmancevic hit the crossbar with a header (39′).

It was Birmancevic who almost gave the guests the lead after the break. However, the attacker was denied by VfB keeper Alexander Nübel (55′) – this time in a phase in which Stuttgart were actually the dominant team.

In the middle of the second half, VfB continued to increase the number of hits. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß, among others, brought in Chris Führich for Ermedin Demirovic and moved national striker Deniz Undav from hanging to sole striker. The hosts tried to score the second goal and pushed Sparta back deep into their own half with a high proportion of possession. But there was a lack of clear opportunities. The game ended like Stuttgart’s last Champions League home game against the glorious FC Barcelona in February 2010 – with a 1-1 draw.