VFB (0 - 0) SGE – 20'
Felix drifts out wide, signaling for a through ball. Samandari lifts his head, weighing his options—Felix on the right or Speidel on the left. Instead of making a quick pass, he decides to drive forward, cutting toward the center of the pitch.
The three attackers push on, each with defenders in front of them. Eventually, Samandari lays it off to Felix, who bursts down the right flank, accelerating into space. He carries the ball toward the edge of the box but slows down as the defender steps up to block his path.
Felix fakes a cut-in onto his left foot, throwing in an unconvincing dummy shot just to get the ball onto his right instead. He pushes it forward, creating just enough separation for a shot. Ignoring both Samandari and Speidel, he goes for it—striking the ball with his laces.
The ball clips the defender's foot, deflecting straight toward goal. The power behind it is weakened, but the keeper is still forced into a reflex save.
It smacks off his body, bouncing awkwardly back into play. Felix, Speidel, and Samandari watch the rebound unfold, anticipating a second chance—but the keeper dives quickly, clutching the ball while still on the ground.
Samandari and Speidel exchange disappointed glances at Felix, silently questioning why he didn't pass.
Wasting no time, the keeper throws the ball out to launch a counterattack. He finds Ahmadi in midfield, who controls it calmly before shifting play toward his right-back.
The right-back scans his options, spotting an opportunity through the middle. He threads a pass to the striker, who holds off his marker before quickly laying it off. The ball is immediately slipped through to the left winger, who sprints onto it with Stuttgart's right-back and winger chasing after him.
The winger reaches the ball first. In one slick motion, he drags it with the sole of his right foot, then flicks it forward with his left foot, nutmegging the defender and leaving him behind.
Now deep inside the penalty box, close to the corner line, he chases the ball as the center-back rushes over to challenge him.
They both reach it at the same time. The defender slides in aggressively, trying to push it out for a corner—but the winger anticipates it.
Feinting the tackle, he scoops the ball over the defender's legs, avoiding the slide completely.
But the move costs him his balance—the ball is bouncing awkwardly in front of him, and another defender is already charging in.
Left with no choice, he takes the shot—a half volley while off balance.
The ball rockets toward the top of the net, forcing the keeper to jump and parry it away.
The rebound bounces dangerously near the edge of the box—the striker is already sprinting in to strike it.
But Yigit slides in aggressively, arriving at the same time as the Frankfurt forward.
They both connect with the ball—but instead of striking cleanly, the striker kicks Yigit's ankle.
Immediately, both players cry out, falling to the ground. Stuttgart players call for a free kick, while Frankfurt players demand a penalty.
The referee waves them off, signaling for play to continue—it's a 50/50 challenge.
The Stuttgart defender, frustrated, boots the ball out of play before calling for medics. Players swarm the referee, trying to protest the decision, but he stands firm, insisting on the fair challenge.
Medics rush onto the field to attend to both injured players. Meanwhile, the Stuttgart coach gathers some players, making a tactical shift.
"Listen up—stop giving that right-back time on the ball. His passes are hurting us." He continues, "I need you to hold your position. Don't push forward—stay locked onto the winger. And move the ball quicker; they're reacting fast on defense. Come on, boys—let's get back in this."
The players nod and head back onto the pitch.
Frankfurt takes a throw-in, and their right-back shifts across the field to help on the left. He receives the ball, slowly scanning the pitch.
After a few seconds, he makes his decision—launching a lofted pass across the field toward the right winger.
The right winger collects it cleanly.
Now, he's got a one-on-one against Stuttgart's right-back.
''Didn't I just warn them about that?!'' The manager goes off to his assistant on the sideline.
He approaches slowly, deciding how to make his next move.