Bundesliga
Ermedin Demirović led the way with a goal and an assist while Bilal El Khannouss was also on target for the first time as VfB Stuttgart ended St. Pauli's unbeaten start to the season with a commanding 2-0 victory at the MHPArena.
VfB Stuttgart 2-0 St. Pauli
Goals: 1-0 Demirović 43' (assist: Leweling), 2-0 El Khannouss 50' (assist: Demirović)
Going into this Matchday 4 encounter, hosts Stuttgart had endured their worst start to a season under Sebastian Hoeneß with just three points from their opening three games. Visitors St. Pauli, on the othere hand, were enjoying their best-ever opening to the top flight with seven points on the board.
In a frantic opening to proceedings, the Swabians thought they'd taken an early lead when their stand-in captain Demirović headed home from a set piece in the fourth minute. Celebrations were quickly cut short by an offside flag, however.
The hosts continued to dominate but were frustrated by St. Pauli keeper Nikola Vasilj, who produced a magnificent penalty save to deny Angelo Stiller after Eric Smith had fouled Tiago Tomás in the box on 25 minutes. Vasilj continued his heroics, denying Stiller again in a one-on-one situation just minutes later.
Stuttgart's pressure finally told two minutes before half-time when Demirović collected a clever pass from Jamie Leweling, danced past three defenders and delicately lifted the ball over the onrushing Vasilj for a superb individual goal.
The hosts wasted no time after the restart, doubling their lead just five minutes into the second half. Maximilian Mittelstädt won possession in midfield and found Leweling on the left flank, whose low cross was laid off by Demirović into the path of El Khannouss. The Moroccan midfielder calmly placed his shot into the far corner beyond Vasilj's reach.
Pauli responded immediately with Louis Oppie rattling the crossbar, but Stuttgart continued to look the more dangerous side. Another Demirović effort was ruled out for offside on 58 minutes while at the other end, Alexander Nübel ensured the clean sheet with an excellent save to deny Oladapo Afolayan when one-on-one in the 71st minute.
On his first outing leading Stuttgart out as captain, Demirović delivered a performance of true leadership. The Bosnian striker broke the deadlock with a moment of individual brilliance just before half-time, showing tremendous skill to evade multiple defenders before applying a delicate finish.
His assist for El Khannouss's goal early in the second half demonstrated his all-round contribution, while his movement and link-up play caused St. Pauli problems throughout. His influence on the match was undeniable, and he deservedly claimed the Player of the Match award with 46 percent of the votes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Stuttgart 2.43 - St. Pauli 1.13
Fastest player: Andréas Hountondji (Pauli), 35.4 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Demirović (Stuttgart), 8.8 percent
Most pressed player: Danel Sinani (Pauli), 19 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart), +3.14
Fantasy Heroes: El Khannouss (Stuttgart, 321 Points), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart, 263 Points), Demirović (Stuttgart, 243 Points)