Mittelstädt and Leweling on target
After an evenly balanced opening period, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side increasingly grew into the game and were the better team at the MHPArena. It wasn’t until just before half-time, however, that VfB took the lead, with Maximilian Mittelstädt opening the scoring following good work from Pascal Stenzel (45’+2). Jamie Leweling added a second three minutes later to give the hosts a comfortable advantage at the break.
Undav strikes again
Serhou Guirassy made his comeback in the 62nd minute as a replacement for Leweling, but it was Deniz Undav who scored VfB’s third after an impressive run. Mainz did reduce the deficit through Ludovic Ajorque in the 76th minute, but Stuttgart’s lead was never in danger, and they saw out the result to the full-time whistle for a well-deserved home win.
Goals
45’+2: Stenzel delivers a pinpoint cross from the right into the box, where Mittelstädt is lurking at the back post to control on his chest and direct a volley into the net.
45’+5: Stenzel provides the assist once again, chipping the ball forward for Leweling, who drives into the box and slots the ball past Robin Zentner.
73’: Undav brilliantly controls a pass from Anthony Rouault before skipping past Tom Krauß and firing into the left-hand corner from just inside the penalty box.
76’: Ajorque beats Josha Vagnoman to a ball into VfB’s area and leaves Fabian Bredlow no chance with his header.