Last season, Stuttgart surprisingly finished second in Bundesliga (ahead of Bayern Munich) and many expected they would struggle this season, especially after they lost key players to Bayern and Borussia Dortmund. But, so far, totally opposite happened. Stuttgart played well against Real Madrid in the Champions League five days ago and easily could have earned a point—though the scoreline doesn’t reflect that—but today’s performance was on another level. Unfortunate Borussia Dortmund stood no chance, and the collapse was inevitable—5-1.Stuttgart 1-0 Dortmund | Deniz Undav#VFBBVB pic.twitter.com/jL6oVBVqFk— Fussballfc (@Fussball_fc) September 22, 2024 After everything, one can only wonder how the club’s leadership at Westfalen must feel right now. Over the June transfer window they took Stuttgart’s two best players (top scorer Serhou Guirassy and captain Waldemar Anton, the defensive anchor), paying over 40 million for the pair, only to come to the Neckarstadion and get thrashed 5-1—almost effortlessly. While Borussia’s dreadful defense is partly to blame—Anton himself clearly hasn’t managed to stabilize it—the fourth goal is the best evidence of this, as Enzo Millot strolled along the goal line as if on a fashion runway, or as if joking around with kids on the street. However, this doesn’t and shouldn’t diminish the value of Stuttgart’s triumph, as they now look like a serious European force under coach Hoeneß.Stuttgart 3-0 Dortmund l Millot#VFBBVB pic.twitter.com/LTsvBVAvPp— Fussballfc (@Fussball_fc) September 22, 2024 Stuttgart 3-1 Dortmund l Guirassy#VfBBVB pic.twitter.com/ceFKtHeMED— Fussballfc (@Fussball_fc) September 22, 2024 Few expected that Ermedin Demirović would be able to fill the gap left by the departure of Guirassy, but match after match, he is proving that the roughly twenty million euros invested in his transfer from Augsburg will be a great success. Just like the purchase of Deniz Undav’s contract from Brighton for around 26 million. The two of them have gelled brilliantly after only a few games. In tonight’s derby, Undav found the net twice against Borussia, and Demirović scored once. It’s worth noting that their goals foreshadowed a disaster for the “Millionaires.” After just 20 minutes, the scoreboard showed 2-0. Sebastian Hoeneß’s entire team shone, not just the starting offense. Maximilian Mittelstädt set up the first two goals, Enzo Millot the fourth and fifth—he scored the third himself—and El Bilal Touré showed that he improves with each game, making his loan from Atalanta look like a great move. Once again, he came off the bench and scored. Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller masterfully controlled the midfield, closing down spaces everywhere.Stuttgart 4-1 Dortmund l Toure#VFBBVB pic.twitter.com/4BmlUO0EKE— Fussballfc (@Fussball_fc) September 22, 2024 Stuttgart 5-1 Dortmund l Undav#VFBBVB pic.twitter.com/Y1TSCo1dzF— Fussballfc (@Fussball_fc) September 22, 2024 Special praise goes to the young coach Sebastian Hoeneß. His tactical brilliance no longer surprises anyone. Today, at 3-0, he pulled off a full-back (Mittelstädt) and brought on a midfielder (Fabian Rieder), and at 3-1, he substituted another full-back (Vagnoman) to give a chance to a forward (Touré)! Stuttgart then changed formation, playing with three at the back, dropped the lines a bit, and waited for the opportunity to knock out Borussia. On the other hand, his colleague Nuri Şahin practically nullified all the good work he had done up to this match with such a performance and result.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 4FridayAugsburg – Mainz 2-3 (1-2)/Schlotterbeck 25, Essende 57 – Sieb 13, Burkardt 15, 49/SaturdayBochum – Holstein Kiel 2-2 (2-1)/Bero 22, Daschner 35 – Pichler 15, Machino 89/Heidenheim – Freiburg 0-3 (0-0)/Doan 54, Grifo 59, 65/Union Berlin – Hoffenheim 2-1 (2-0)/Rothe 4, Jeong 6 – Bulter 67/Werder – Bayern 0-5 (0-2)/Olise 23, 60, Musiala 32, Kane 57, Gnabry 65/Eintr. Frankfurt – M’gladbach 2-0 (1-0)/Larsson 30, Marmoush 80/SundayLeverkusen – Wolfsburg 4-3 (2-3)/Wirtz 14, Tah 32, Hincapie 49, Boniface 90+3 – Mukiele 5 og, Bornauw 37, Svanberg 45+1/Stuttgart – Dortmund 4-1 (2-0)/Undav 4, 90, Demirovic 21, Millot 62, Toure 80- Guirassy 75/20:30: (5.60) St.Pauli (3.70) RB Leipzig (1.65)***odds are subject to change***
