VFB (0 - 0) SGE – 32'
The tension builds as Frankfurt's winger faces off against Stuttgart's right-back. The outcome of this battle could break the deadlock.
With players scrambling back into position, the winger has time to decide—cut inside on his left or drive down the flank on his right?
The defender remains poised, waiting to anticipate his move. The winger slows down, buying himself an extra second—just enough time for Stuttgart's defense to reorganize.
Despite their recovery, they remain on high alert, ready for his next move. But he still hasn't done anything.
Then, out of nowhere, he slips a no-look pass toward the edge of the box, perfectly weighted into the half-circle just outside the penalty area.
Nobody expected it.
One of his teammates bursts forward at full sprint, meeting the ball with a powerful first-time shot—laces through the ball, pure strike.
The ball rockets through the crowded box, but its trajectory keeps rising.
For Stuttgart, luck is on their side—it smacks the top crossbar, ricocheting high into the air. As it comes down, Frankfurt players press hard to regain possession in Stuttgart's half.
A second attack begins.
A Frankfurt defender secures the ball but takes a more patient approach this time. Their right-back drifts inside, picking up possession.
He wastes no time—dribbling straight through midfield, weaving past two Stuttgart players with explosive pace.
Approaching the defensive midfielder, he disguises a trivela pass, curling the ball between two defenders toward his right winger, who is already on the run before even calling for it.
The winger reaches the ball just before it rolls out of play, but Stuttgart's defender has already caught up.
Unfazed, he lays it off to his midfielder, who executes a perfect back heel toward the right-back.
With no pressure on him, the right-back scans the box.
One touch.
Then, he floats a curling cross toward the striker, who waits just behind a Stuttgart defender—completely unmarked.
The ball spins through the air, dropping straight into his ideal position.
The striker doesn't need to do much—just a clean header.
He jumps, heading the ball down toward the bottom corner.
The ball bounces once, angling toward the bottom right.
Ioannis reacts instantly, stretching his fingers toward the ball just as it crosses the line.
He struggles to get a strong grip—his full hand barely reaches it, so he uses four fingers, desperately trying to push it away.
The ball stays in play, bouncing dangerously close to the goal line.
One of Stuttgart's defenders rushes in and smashes it clear just in time.
The clearance sends the ball out for a throw-in, but Frankfurt's bench and fans erupt, convinced the ball crossed the line.
Players turn toward the referee, demanding a goal call.
The Stuttgart coach shouts instructions from the touchline, trying to refocus his squad.
"Come on, boys! Focus! Keep your shape!"
The game restarts with a throw-in, Frankfurt working it quickly between midfielders before the right-back switches play again with a precise crossfield pass.
The ball lands at the left winger's feet.
The Stuttgart coach loses it, screaming at his defense—another dangerous pass has slipped through.
The left winger puts the ball down gently, standing still—waiting for the defender to make his move.
The right-back watches carefully, bracing for a possible dribble.
But he panics.
Instead of holding position, he lunges in aggressively, trying to win possession outright.
The winger drags the ball back, dodging the tackle effortlessly.
Then, he taunts the defender, shuffling the ball under his feet, side to side—baiting him into another mistake.
Just as the defender loses focus, staring at the ball instead of the player—
The winger pulls off an elastico, scooping the ball over the defender's head.
Stuttgart's right-back instinctively follows his movements, but he's lost him completely.
Out of desperation, he grabs onto the winger's shirt, pulling hard as they enter the box.
The winger keeps running, dragging the defender behind him—until the pull becomes too much.
He falls inside the box.
The referee blows the whistle.