VfB held by Sparta

Match summary

The visitors started strongly at the sold-out Arena Stuttgart, but it was Sebastian Hoeneß’s men who found the net first when Maxi Mittelstädt delivered a teasing cross into the box for Enzo Millot to head home in just the seventh minute.

VfB were lucky that Martin Vitik could only hit the post with a header in the 13th minute, but Alex Nübel was eventually beaten just after the half-hour mark when Kaan Kairinen buried an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner to level the score (32’).

Second-half efforts unrewarded

VfB increased the tempo after the break, forcing their visitors back deep inside their own half, but were unable to capitalise on any more chances, including a presentable one for Millot in the 48th minute with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Angelo Stiller was given room to shoot inside the box in the 72^nd minute, but his volleyed effort was too central, and Peter Vindahl was able to save. Sparta defended with gusto, and after Chris Führich (80’) and Fabian Rieder (88’) missed chances late on, the game ended 1-1.

Goals

7^th minute: VfB get into the opposition penalty area for the first time and take the lead right away. Jamie Leweling finds Mittelstädt on the left and he crosses into the centre for the unmarked Millot to head in the opener from close range.

32^nd minute: Kairinen curls a free-kick over the wall and into the top right-hand corner. Nübel gets a hand to it but is unable to prevent Sparta equalising.