Deserved away win

Match summary
Sebastian Hoeneß’s attack-minded line-up seized control right from the outset in Bratislava, pressing their hosts high up the pitch. They were soon rewarded for their efforts when Jamie Leweling opened the scoring on 11 minutes following some fine work in the build-up from Deniz Undav.

Leweling at the double

VfB continued to hold the upper hand and extended their lead in the 38^th minute, with Leweling on hand to prod the rebound over the line from close range after Enzo Millot’s shot had been saved by Dominik Takac (38’).

Chris Führich went close to adding a third with a long-distance strike just before the interval, but the score remained 2-0 at half-time.

Wasted chances

The hosts pressed VfB higher up the pitch in the second half, but Hoeneß’s charges remained the superior team. They carved out another good opportunity in the 52^nd minute but Undav was unable to apply the finishing touch.

The next opening fell to Maximilian Mittelstädt following a 67th-minute counter-attack but he was denied by the goalkeeper, while Undav hit the right-hand post with a header just a few seconds later. Ermedin Demirovic came off the bench and also had chances to make it 3-0, but he too was unable to convert (73’, 83’).

The home side pulled a goal back through Idjessi Metsoko with five minutes of normal time remaining, only for Fabian Rieder to reply almost instantly to give VfB a richly deserved 3-1 win.

Goals

11^th minute: Following some neat interplay involving Jeff Chabot, Millot and Undav, the latter darts into the box and squares the ball for Leweling to fire in the opener.

38^th minute: Millot’s shot is saved by Takac but Leweling is first to the loose ball and although he doesn’t make a clean connection, the home goalkeeper cannot keep it out.

85^th minute: Bratislava break forward on the counter and Metsoko leaves Alexander Nübel no chance with a low shot into the corner.

87^th minute: VfB restore their two-goal advantage with a counter of their own. Mittelstädt finds Rieder inside the box and he scores the team’s decisive third goal.