Serbian champs humble Stuttgart in Belgrade
| Sebastian Hoeneß reacts on the sidelines at the Rajko Mitić Stadium on Wednesday evening. | Srdjan Stevanovic, Getty Images |
A day that began with bad news for VfB Stuttgart supporters got even worse for the 2023'24 Bundesliga runners up. Sebastian Hoeneß' VfB Stuttgart incurred their third defeat of the 2024/25 Champions' League campaign at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade on Wednesday evening. The German UCL representatives looked highly disorganized and devoid of ideas as they conceded five unanswered goals against the "Zvezda".
Hoeneß lined up his team as anticipated. Initially, matters seemed to be proceeding well for the German guests. Chris Führich recorded Stuttgart's first shot on target in the 4th. One minute later, Ermedin Demirovic scored his very first Champions' League goal. Belgrade failed to clear a Mittelstädt cross in the 5th. Enzo Millot took the opportunity to set up the Bosnian international. Demirovic powered home an impressive first-time finish.
The lead nevertheless did not last long. VfB loanee Silas equalized in the 12th after a fantastic solo effort. The Congolese international stripped Millot of the ball in midfield and immediately scorched down the pitch, finishing himself with a precise effort into the corner from about 17 meters out. The hosts continued to look the better side after the 1-1. It came as no surprise to see eventually them take the lead in the 31st.
Young-Woo Seol easily beat new VfB starter Pascal Stenzel on the left. A very poor defensive header from Atakan Karazor enabled Rade Krunic to bulge the back of the net on the 2-1. With Hoeneß' side looking sloppy and unimaginative, it didn't look as if the Bundesliga representatives would be able to find their way back into the match. Stuttgart looked even worse after the restart.
Red Star flirted with the third goal for quite some time. VfB keeper Alexander Nübel did well to keep his side in the match with crucial saves against Silas, Felicio Milson, and Mirko Ivanic. At long last, Ivanic was able to score the 3-1 with a header off a corner in the 65th. The Cannstatter found themselves undone on a counter four minutes later.
Ivanic unlocked the overcommitted VfB defensive ranks with a simple through ball as Nemanja Radonjic scored the 4-1 in the 69th. Substitute Radonjic wasn't quite finished with the shellshocked Swabians. The 44-times-capped international duped VfB defenders Mitellstädt and Jeff Chabot with hook touches before slotting home the 5-1 two minutes from time.
