Match summary
As expected, Atalanta proved to be awkward opponents at Arena Stuttgart. The Serie A side were defensively compact and tactically astute against Sebastian Hoeneß’s team, who worked hard to keep the visitors at bay and fashioned the first clear-cut chance of the contest in the 11th minute, when Anthony Rouault headed over Angelo Stiller’s cross from six metres out.
Golden opportunity for Undav
Atalanta carved out an excellent opportunity of their own in the 31st minute, but Maxi Mittelstädt did well to prevent Mario Pasalic from putting the visitors ahead. The best chance of the first half fell to VfB shortly before half-time, when striker Deniz Undav latched on to Chris Führich’s perfectly weighted pass inside the penalty area before slamming the ball into the side-netting from close range.
Lookman strikes
Stuttgart hit the ground running in the second half, only for Ademola Lookman to give Atalanta the lead on 51 minutes with a clinical finish.
Hoeneß’s team responded well and pushed hard in search of an equaliser. Führich worked his way into the penalty area four minutes after Lookman’s opener, but his pass to Ermedin Demirovic – who had just come on for Undav – was intercepted by Berat Djimsiti at the last moment.
VfB threw caution to the wind as the clock ticked towards full time. The hosts dominated possession but Atalanta continued to defend resolutely and remained a threat on the counter-attack.
Malanga unfortunate
Jarzinho Malanga was unfortunate to see a fine effort take a wicked deflection before striking the side netting in the 83rd minute, before Pascal Stenzel sent a powerful shot flying narrowly wide from just outside the box.
Nicolo Zaniolo put the result beyond doubt in the 88th minute, finishing off a flowing counter-attack to give Atalanta a 2-0 lead.
Goals
51st minute: Charles de Ketelaere gets the better of Mittelstädt down the right before finding Lookman, who fires home from a central position.
88th minute: Rouault fails to intercept a long ball towards Zaniolo, who beats Alex Nübel in a one-on-one.