Key Highlights
VfB Stuttgart produced a shock result at the BayArena, winning by four goals to two as Ermedin Demirović scored twice and took the match as his own. The visitors’ front three were clinical on the chances they created, turning a lively contest into a decisive away victory.
First Half
Stuttgart arrived with a clear plan to hurt Leverkusen on the break and it paid off in the early stages. Their clearest spell between the 12th and the 19th minute produced the opener when Ermedin Demirović finished unassisted with his left foot in the 14th minute, and a second from Jamie Leweling from a corner followed in the 22nd minute. Bayer Leverkusen, set up in a four two three one, responded by probing possession and finishing the half with more of the ball and more accurate passing, and Patrik Schick halved the deficit with a headed finish from an Aleix García delivery in the 28th minute. Stuttgart nevertheless created the clearer openings overall before the interval, forcing a series of good saves, and the game went in at half time with VfB Stuttgart leading by two goals to one.
Second Half
After the break the pattern shifted: Leverkusen dominated territory and possession, turning that pressure into a barrage of shots and corners but struggling to convert. Stuttgart struck again early in the second half when Bilal El Khannouss was set up by Chris Führich to make it three one in the 51st minute, and Demirović completed his brace from a fast break finished for four one in the 65th minute, assisted by Deniz Undav. Leverkusen pressed furiously, introducing Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich, and their late spell from around the 78th minute finally produced a goal when Ibrahim Maza met Miguel Gutiérrez’s cross in the 79th minute, but the late push arrived too late to change the outcome. The match finished with VfB Stuttgart winning by four goals to two.
Closing Thoughts
The result is a setback for Bayer Leverkusen, who have now lost two league matches in a row and will travel to 1. FC Köln next week needing to sharpen their finishing under pressure. For VfB Stuttgart this away victory offers a much needed boost: it moves them up in the table to fifteenth and gives Sebastian Hoeneß’s side a chance to build on this confidence when they host Werder Bremen next. Ermedin Demirović’s performance, and Stuttgart’s efficiency in the final third, are the defining takeaways from a result that will reverberate for both teams over the coming fixtures.
