Stuttgart Secure Position In Bundesliga After Winning Against Hamburg
VfB Stuttgart maintained their spot in the German top flight after winning their Bundesliga relegation playoff against Hamburg over two legs (6-1).
Following a statement 3-0 win at home, Stuttgart waltzed into Volksparkstadion assuming their safety was virtually secured but the hosts suggested that might not be the case.
Hamburg hit the ground running and the fans roared after Sonny Kittel’s shot hit off the post and in within six minutes.
But unfortunately for the 2. Bundesliga side, they never capitalised on their blistering start and subsequently allowed the visitors to run away with the game.
Serhou Guirassy thought he had equalised in the first half with an incredible backheel swivel, but the brilliance was denied due to offside.
Coming out after the break though, Stuttgart finally found their scoring touch as 20-year-old Enzo Millot secured a brace to ensure survival.
His second goal arrived courtesy of a howler when goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes’ poorly timed kick missed the ball, and the attacker poked home into an empty net for 2-1.
Bitter#hsvvfb pic.twitter.com/32gC8uUwAQ
— Fernfunker (@fernfunker) June 5, 2023
It was a fitting moment for what has been a turbulent promotion attempt for Hamburg.
Fans pre-maturely invaded the pitch in celebrations on the final day of the season only for Heidenheim’s late heroics to drop them into the playoffs alongside a red card in the playoff first leg.
Then to pile on the miser, Silas Katompa Mvumpa’s fancy footwork added a third for the visitors.
The result means Stuttgart maintained their spot in Germany’s top flight while Hamburg are condemned to the second tier for the sixth consecutive season.
