PLAYER RATINGS | Stuttgart 3-1 RB Leipzig: Stiller and Woltemade show secure first DFB Pokal final for VfB since 2013
Although winless in their last six Bundesliga games coming into Wednesday’s clash, Stuttgart played with confidence in the opening minutes. A Jamie Leweling cross was met on the volley by Maximilian Mittelstädt at the far post whose shot was deflected over. Leipzig failed to clear the resulting corner which was met by Angelo Stiller. On his weaker right foot, the newly-capped Germany international fired the ball into the corner past a Maarten Vandevoordt after five minutes. Ermedin Demirovic then forced Vandevoordt into another save but it was then Leipzig who enjoyed an extended spell of pressure. Loïs Openda forced Alexander Nübel into a superb save down low after 15 minutes before testing the German stopper again. Wasteful from the Belgian, Leipzig’s best chances came through the 25-year-old as VfB dropped to a back five when out of possession. Ridle Baku had a chance to equalize just before the break but his left-footed shot drifted narrowly wide of Nübel’s post. Much like the first, the second half was played with intensity. Woltemade almost doubled Stuttgart’s lead 10 minutes after the break with a superb header which was denied by Vandevoordt. But the German would soon score his fourth goal in seven games. VfB won the ball back with a high press and after one-touch football around the area, Demirovic found Woltemade who fired the ball low and hard beyond Vandevoordt. But just like the first half, Leipzig controlled again
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