Did you see that late thunderbolt? Hamburg snatched a 1-0 win as Miro Muheim struck late, while Daniel Heuer Fernandes delivered a stellar performance between the posts to frustrate Stuttgart.
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Hamburg 1-0 VfB StuttgartGoal: 1-0 Muheim 88′ (assist: El Ouahdi)
Hamburg made two changes to the team that won at Hoffenheim last time out, with Muheim and Bilal Nadir switching in for the injured pair of Nicolai Remberg and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, made four alterations from their midweek Champions League line-up: Dennis Seimen returned in goal, and Ermedin Demirović, Jamie Leweling and Atakan Karazor came in to replace Chris Führich, Grischa Prömel, and Dženan Pejčinović.
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Bilal El Khannouss was a constant thorn in the Hamburg defence in the first half. – Oliver Hardt –>
Stuttgart dominate without breaking through
Stuttgart seized early control, with Angelo Stiller’s volley drifting just wide after two minutes. Bilal El Khannouss kept the right flank busy, twice setting up Demirović, whose headers both missed the target.
Hamburg’s brightest chance arrived when Fábio Vieira’s shot skimmed the box edge, only to glance off Sebastiaan Bornauw’s header and force a spectacular save from Seimen.
VfB’s best effort came just before halftime; Deniz Undav smashed a Leweling cut‑back into the post’s base, yet the score remained nil‑nil at the break.
Muheim’s thunderous long‑range strike secured Hamburg’s triumph at the Volksparkstadion on Saturday. – IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Marcel von Fehrn
Late thunderbolt
The momentum persisted after the restart. Yussuf Poulsen clanged the Stuttgart crossbar with a first‑time effort, and moments later Daniel Heuer Fernandes tipped Undav’s low volley over.
Both managers rotated as the clock ticked, and in the 88th minute substitute Zakaria El Ouahdi threaded a pass to Muheim, who unleashed a long‑range drive into the top corner for the match’s solitary goal.
Stuttgart pressed for an equaliser, with Pejčinović and Führich crafting chances in stoppage time, but Heuer Fernandes and his backline held firm. If Hamburg can keep this defensive resolve, they’ll be tough opponents in the next round.
Heuer Fernandes produced several crucial saves against Stuttgart on Matchday 6. – IMAGO/Stefan Trocha