Stuttgart’s home drought continues in a dramatic finale | OneFootball

For both Stuttgart and Heidenheim, this was a chance to step closer to their end-of-season goals. The hosts dropped outside European places after a bad spell in the Bundesliga, while Heidenheim is currently in the relegation playoff spot.

Sebastian Hoeneß decided to keep the Ermedin Demirović-Deniz Undav striking partnership, despite Nick Woltemade being available after suspension. Meanwhile, Fabian Rieder, who might leave the club in the summer, replaces the injured Enzo Millot in midfield. Heidenheim’s only change sees Tim Siersleben come in place of Sirlord Conteh.

With five home defeats in a row, the DFB-Pokal finalists are in desperate need of three points. They did score four first-half goals last time out in Union Berlin, but they also conceded the same number of goals in a history-making half of football.

On this one, there was none by the time Tobias Welz whistled the end of the first 45 minutes. VfB were the better side, but Demirović and Angelo Stiller failed to convert their best chances. Heidenheim, who also conceded four last week against Bayern, had very little to offer in the final third.

Hoeneß made a bold move early after the break as Woltemade entered the scene to join Undav and Demirović in attack. However, it’s the guests who hit the crossbar in the 56th minute through club captain Patrick Mainka..

After that, Stuttgart regained momentum with Kevin Müller called to action in Heidenheim’s goal. More changes came on either side, but neither had enough quality to open the deadlock until the last ten minutes of the game.

Stuttgart’s best chance came via substitute Woltemade when he hit the crossbar with a delightful chip. And, moments later, it was the turn of Undav to see his effort denied by the woodwork.

When the hosts continued to push for a goal, Heidenheim did find an unlikely winner in the 89th minute. Mathias Honsak, who missed nearly a couple of months due to a muscle injury, made his mark with a beautiful finish to secure a stunning victory for Franck Schmidt’s boys.

Stuttgart will stay in the bottom half of the standings as the cup seemed their only option to qualify for Europe. Heidenheim extended their gap with Bochum to five points before Dieter Hecking’s side play against Union Berlin on Sunday.