Stuttgart made it seven matches unbeaten (six wins, one draw) after a 2-0 win over Union Berlin to move within a point of second-placed Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. The visitors – coming into this contest sitting 14th – had the first chance, with Kevin Volland’s high bouncing pass forward finding strike partner Yorbe Vertessen. The Belgian got the ball under control, but having shifted inside, he wastefully fired wide when he should have at least tested Alexander Nübel. In a lively start, Josha Vagnoman couldn’t capitalise on a clipped cross by Maximilian Mittelstädt at the other end, and soon after that, Nübel passed sloppily straight to Robin Gosens. He squared for András Schäfer, but Nübel made amends to palm away the Hungary international’s effort. It was Stuttgart who took the lead on 19 minutes though, as home captain Atakan Karazor threaded a lovely pass through to Serhou Guirassy, who slammed in his 21st league goal of a remarkable campaign.
The Champions League chasers enjoyed around 70% possession heading into halftime, but they did offer their opponents another opening when Lucas Tousart intercepted Pascal Stenzel’s pass, but the ex-Hertha Berlin midfielder duly blazed over from 20 yards out, while Union goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow denied Vagnoman in stoppage time.Only Cologne have scored fewer Bundesliga goals away from home this season than Union, but Nübel had to be on his toes straight after the break to keep out Tousart’s close-range header and Volland’s strike from distance. Rønnow was then called on to repel Chris Führich’s shot, before Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness made a positive double change on the hour mark, bringing on Deniz Undav and Union loanee Jamie Leweling for Enzo Millot and Stenzel. But it was Führich who doubled the hosts’ advantage, punishing Diogo Leite’s miscue to curl wonderfully into Rønnow’s far corner.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for Union as Schäfer was dismissed for catching Vagnoman’s left knee with his studs, and as a result, the contest went a bit flat, with Union’s four-game head-to-head unbeaten league away run (one win, three draws) coming to an abrupt end. However, they are still nine points clear of the bottom three and host Werder Bremen next Saturday before Stuttgart travel to Hoffenheim later the same day.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 25FridayStuttgart – Union Berlin 2-0 (1-0)/Guirassy 19, Fuhrich 66/Saturday17:30: (1.23) Bayern (6.75) Mainz (11.0)17:30: (1.85) M’ gladbach (3.70) Koln (4.70)17:30: (1.15) RB Leipzig (8.00) Darmstadt (16.0)17:30: (1.90) Augsburg (3.50) Heidenheim (4.10)20:30: (3.80) Werder (4.10) Dortmund (1.90)Sunday17:30: (2.40) Bochum (3.50) Freiburg (3.10)19:30: (2.10) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.60) Hoffenheim (3.60)21:30: (1.33) Leverkusen (5.50) Wolfsburg (8.50)***odds are subject to change***