VFB (0 - 0) SGE – 13'
The Frankfurt winger bursts down the left flank, taking full advantage of the space left open by Stuttgart's high defensive line. Zarrella chases after him, but the gap is too large—he doesn't have the pace to catch up.
The Stuttgart goalkeeper sees the danger and starts creeping off his line, trying to force the winger into making a decision. As the winger approaches the penalty box, the keeper suddenly rushes forward, closing the distance fast.
The winger attempts a fake shot, but his touch is too heavy—the ball rolls ahead of him, still loose. The keeper hesitates, not going down for it just yet. Now it's a race.
Both players sprint toward the ball, but the winger gets there first. With the keeper out of position, he scrambles back toward the goal line, trying to cover the angle to block the shot.
That split-second delay is just enough for Zarrella to make a recovery run. He slides in perfectly, stealing the ball before the winger can shoot. Without wasting time, he boots it clear for a throw-in.
Frankfurt quickly takes the throw, but Stuttgart's defense has already regrouped. The ball is passed around midfield as Frankfurt tries to build up patiently.
Stuttgart responds with aggressive pressing, forcing Frankfurt back into their own half. With no clear passing options, Frankfurt stays composed, waiting for the right moment to break forward.
Suddenly, a loose ball rolls back to their goalkeeper, and Felix rushes in to press him. With little time to react, the keeper boots the ball out for a Stuttgart throw-in.
Stuttgart restarts play with a throw down the right wing, finding Leon. He controls the ball and immediately lays it off to Yigit in midfield.
As a defender closes in, Yigit uses a late touch and turns sharply, breaking free into open space. He jogs forward, scanning the field, looking for options. Spotting Leon open on the wing, he sends him a simple pass.
Leon pauses for a second, assessing the situation, then plays a perfectly timed overlapping pass to his fullback sprinting down the wing.
The fullback fights off physical pressure from the winger, maintaining control as he drives toward the penalty box. He cuts the ball back toward Samandari, who's waiting at the edge of the box.
With no defenders pressing him, Samandari takes the shot first-time—a low-driven effort that cuts through the defense, curling toward goal.
But just before the ball reaches the keeper, Felix accidentally deflects it inside the box.
It hits the net, but the linesman raises the flag—offside.
Frankfurt's goalkeeper boots the restart deep into Stuttgart's half. A physical battle ensues, but Stuttgart wins possession and immediately launches another counterattack.
Leon picks up the ball, cutting toward the center, analyzing his options—Speidel on the left and Felix through the middle.
Spotting space, Leon threads a through ball to Speidel, who sprints into a foot race with the right-back. The pass is well-weighted—Speidel reaches it first.
He drives down the wing, head up, quickly locking onto Felix making a central run. Without hesitation, he sends in a low pass.
Felix collects it cleanly, but both defenders behind him immediately raise their hands, calling for offside.
The linesman raises his flag.
Before Frankfurt restarts, their coach signals to the defenders, instructing them to stop lofting the ball and keep possession on the ground.
Frankfurt finally settles down, working the ball around midfield. Their right-back joins the build-up, helping them pass more fluidly.
When he gets the ball, he lofts it toward the left winger, who controls it expertly with his chest before dropping it onto his feet.
Now fully in control, the winger plays with the ball, shuffling it under both feet, trying to confuse his defender. His movements are slick—quick taps, sudden shifts.
He fakes a pass toward the overlapping fullback, baiting Leon into tracking back to defend.
Then, in an instant—he switches direction.
He drags the ball with his right foot, follows up with a stepover, then cuts inside with his left foot in one fluid motion.
The defender doesn't react fast enough—he's nutmegged clean.
The winger is through.
But just as he enters the penalty box, Redzepi slides in hard, making the tackle.
It's perfectly clean—he wins the ball.
No hesitation, Redzepi passes it to Yigit, who quickly releases Samandari on the break.
Now it's Samandari, Speidel, and Felix charging forward on the counter—against three Frankfurt defenders.
The attack begins.