Perfect start
Sebastian Hoeneß’ side got off to a perfect start as Deniz Undav’s impressive third-minute strike gave them an early lead. Just four minutes later, Chris Führich increased the advantage to 2-0 following a nice one-two with Undav.
Red card for Röhl
In the 19th minute, Freiburg’s Merlin Röhl was shown a red card for a foul on Maximilian Mittelstädt. However, VfB were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage and conceded in first-half stoppage time (45’+11) as Lukas Kübler headed in from a corner.
Mittelstädt makes it 3-1
A man down, Freiburg put in a spirited display in the second half but in truth the visitors were rarely troubled. Undav missed a good opportunity to make it 3-1 in the 55th minute, but Mittelstädt made no mistake in the 74th, beautifully clipping the ball over Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu to put the game beyond the hosts.
Goals
3rd minute: Anton delivers the perfect pass from his own half to Undav, who races through to score from the edge of the box.
7th minute: After a one-two with Undav, Führich fires an unstoppable strike into the left corner to increase Stuttgart’s lead to 2-0.
45th minute + 11: In first half stoppage time, Kübler is left unmarked from a corner and heads in to reduce the deficit.
74th minute: Undav sends a great ball into the penalty area for Mittelstädt, who chips it over Atubolu to make it 3-1.