Touré delivers knockout blow as Stuttgart take out Juventus

Sebastian Hoeneß' VfB Stuttgart have secured their first win of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions' League Campaign. Germany's Swabian UCL representatives overcame a disallowed Deniz Undav goal and a missed Enzo Millot penalty and took out Juventus 1-0 at the Torino Allianz. In the end, it took an on loan Serie A player to fell the Italian giants. Atalanta Bergamo loanee El Bilal Touré came off the bench to score the decisive goal. 

With no real personnel or tactical surprises from Hoeneß, Stuttgart played an impressive first half in at the Italian Allianz. The German guests remained unquestionably the more organized and threatening team throughout the opening 45. Millot played Undav into a dangerous position in the 12th, with the German international sending the first excellent opportunity of the match over. In command with upwards of 65 percent possession, the Swabians continued to make several smaller pinpricks as the game progressed. 

Hoeneß' side made a strong bid for the opening goal in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Ermedin Demirovic found himself rather unlucky to hit the post in the 29th. Again, it was Millot setting up the scoring chance with a fabulous through ball. Undav also tested Juve keeper Mattia Perin from close range in the 42nd after a very clever lob in from Angelo Stiller. Despite the excellent quality from the 2023/24 Bundesliga runners-up, the score-line remained 0-0 at the break. 

It appeared as if the Germans had finally rewarded themselves for their efforts shortly after the restart. Undav latched onto a Maxi Mittelstädt diagonal in the 48th and emphatically smashed home the supposed 1-0 from 15 meters out. In an extremely controversial call, however, the goal was chalked off due to the fact that Undav brought the ball with his left arm at bicep height. The call appeared very harsh as replays confirmed that Undav's action easily could have constituted a "shoulder down". 

Stuttgart were nevertheless in no mood to give up following the contentious decision. Demirovic forced another fine save out of Perin in the 61st. One minute later, Millot rattled off a fine dribble and finish that forced Perin into action again. After having been effectively dormant offensively for the entire match, the Italian hosts suddenly sprung to life following Millot's chance. Alexander Nübel had to intervene for the first time to stop a pair of efforts from former FC Bayern München academy man Kenan Yildaz after the hour-mark. 

Both teams then flagged a bit until matters got exciting again during the final ten minutes. Josha Vagnoman saved a certain goal in the 79th with a crucial tackle on Yildaz on the goal-line. The once-capped German international knocked the ball away at the last second after a stunning bit of combo play from the Italians. Two minutes after that, a Danilo foul gave Stuttgart a free-kick in a dangerous position. Danilo then fouled Anthony Rouault on the ensuing free-kick, drawing his second yellow and awarding Stuttgart a penalty. 

Millot unfortunately couldn't convert from the spot in the 86th. Perin frustrated the Frenchman by guessing right and parrying what was a strong effort. Still holding the man advantage, Hoeneß' side took about every risk they could. It eventually paid off, with substitute Touré dusting off the 1-0 at 90+2. Touré did well to dupe defender Pierre Lulu prior to finishing from six meters out. Millot collected a well-deserved assist on the winner.