VfB Stuttgart
| 1-3 | Werner | (57. Min) |
| 2-3 | Klein | (67. Min) |
| 3-3 | Harnik | (76. Min) |
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
| 0-1 | Son | (4. Min) |
| 0-2 | Son | (9. Min) |
| 0-3 | Bellarabi | (41. Min) |
Roberto Hilbert
Stats 
Martin Harnik scored against Leverkusen.
Amazing comeback
VfB Stuttgart played out an astounding 3-3 (0-3) draw with Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday afternoon. After a disastrous first half, VfB hit back in the second period to secure an almost unthinkable point. Trainer Armin Veh’s substitutions proved inspired on the day.
In front of a crowd of 40,900 at the Mercedes Benz Arena, the hosts got off to an awful start. With just three minutes played, Heung Min Son fired the guests in front and, just six minutes later, the South Korean international doubled his and Leverkusen’s tally. The ‘Cannstatt Boys’ were clearly shocked but looked to get forward and had a good chance to get back into the match in the 25th minute, when Georg Niedermeier headed goal-wards, but Christian Gentner could only turn the ball over the Bayer bar. Shortly before the break, German international Karim Bellarabi dribbled through in the box and slotted home to make it 3-0 for the visitors going into the break.
Post match comments
Christian Gentner: "It was very important that we came back the way we did. We showed great moral."
Post match comments
‘VfB Boys’ rewarded for „never-say-die“ approach
VfB came out for the second period firing on all cylinders, with Martin Harnik going close early on (50‘). The next opportunity that came their way was to mark the beginning of an epic comeback. Florian Klein swung in a delivery from the right and Timo Werner rose highest in the middle to head home and reduce the deficit – 1-3 (57’). Armin Veh introduced fresh attacking legs in Alexandru Maxim, who was then involved in creating VfB’s second. A free-kick cross from the Romanian international was initially punched clear by Bayer keeper Bernd Leno, but the ball fell fortunately to the feet of Florian Klein, who unleashed an unstoppable drive, which put VfB within touching distance of their opponents – 2-3 (67’).
The ‘Cannstatt Boys’ believed they were in with a chance and made it count when it came their way. A well hit free-kick from substitute Filip Kostic found Martin Harnik powering in at the back post to head home – 3-3 (76’). VfB then had some luck on their hands in the 82nd minute, when Bayer proved wasteful directly in front of goal, whilst at the other end, an effort from Harnik was blocked away in a last gasp clearance. Shortly before the final whistle, VfB’s number 7 again tested Leno, who was equal to the Austrian’s effort. In the end, the game was to finish 3-3, with VfB earning a point thanks to a vastly improved second half, during which they proved not only their footballing ability, but also great moral.
