Demirovic carries 'mixed feelings' after late Stuttgart win

They did all they could, but results elsewhere set Stuttgart up for the round of 16 play-offs in the Europa League. 

After a sensational start, VfB led 2-0 against Young Boys for the majority of the first half, before a fantastic strike from Armin Gigovic halved the deficit. 

And just over 10 minutes into the second half, the visitors from Bern would strike again, with Sandro Lauper rattling in one of the goals of the evening from the edge of the box. 

Stuttgart would get their win in the end via a late Chema Andres goal, but it wasn't quite enough to get over the line and into the top eight. 

Ermedin Demirovic, who scored VfB's second of the evening, told UEFA: "I have mixed feelings. Over the first 35 minutes, I think we had an almost perfect game.

“We played very well with the ball, against the ball. We were good, aggressive. Then in the end, I think the goal we conceded made it a little bit more difficult, our opponent was better then.”

For large periods of the second half, Young Boys looked the more threatening, after fully wrestling the control from Stuttgart, who looked stunned after the turnaround. 

Following the winner from Andres, Demirovic added: “Of course, we're still happy that we won the game, but I think it was a bit more difficult than it should be.”

With the first leg of the play-offs set to commence on February 19, Stuttgart will face either Celtic or Ludogorets as they look to secure a spot in the round of 16.

Demirovic described the upcoming play-off as “another challenge against another good opponent.”

“I think we're in good shape and we'll try everything to get through the play-offs.”

Sebastian Hoeneß's side now turn their attention to an all-Baden-Württemberg clash against Freiburg this weekend, who secured a direct route to the round of 16 in Europe this evening despite falling to defeat against Lille.