Record-breaker Guirassy guides Stuttgart past Darmstadt
Kicking off proceedings for Bundesliga Matchday 5 was the meeting of Stuttgart and Darmstadt. Honess’ Swabians remained unchanged from their defeat of Mainz. Visitors, Darmstadt bringing with them some solace from their draw with Gladbach. However, Stuttgart would come from behind tonight to win 3-1, with goals coming from Millot and a Guirassy brace.
For all their dominance inside the opening quarter of an hour, Stuttgart received a shock when they fell behind 1-0 in the 17th minute. Dan-Axel Zagadou the guilty party involved, turning Skarke’s cross beyond Nubel for an own-goal. But Darmstadt’s lead would be snuffed out within minutes. Parity was found when Guirassy controlled Stenzel’s cross for Millot to guide home.
The comeback would be complete in the 32nd minute. None other than Serhou Guirassy coming up with the goods for his 9th league goal. Fuhrich cut infield and the Guinean marksman swivelled onto his right foot which rocket propelled the ball past Marcel Schuhen.
The interval failed to cease Stuttgart’s dominance. Guirassy at the core of multiple attacks that would have reaped goals but for Schuhen bravery between the Darmstadt posts. Honess’ side appeared to find the insurance goal after the hour mark. VAR would mute any further celebrations when Guirassy was caught offside in the buildup.
Substitute Deniz Undav and Stenzel had opportunities to kill Darmstadt off as full-time neared. Schuhen’s ninth and tenth saves kept ‘Die Lilien’ afloat in what was a busy yet impressive night for the shot-stopper. But Guirassy can only be silenced for so long in this rich form. Latching onto Pascal Stenzel’s ball, he lifted it over Schuhen with a delicate chip for 3-1. And with that, his 10th league goal breaking Robert Lewandowski’s previous record 9 goals in 5 opening games.