Demirović's double denies Bremen in thriller

Werder Bremen 2-2 VfB Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Njinmah 6’ (assist: Ducksch), 1-1 Demirović 20’ (assist: Mittelstädt), 2-1 Stage 76’, 2-2 Demirović 85’ (assist: Stiller)

The home side got off to a dream start when Justin Njinmah broke the deadlock in the sixth minute. The young forward, showcasing his aerial prowess, met a pinpoint cross from Leonardo Bittencourt with a well-placed header that left Alexander Nübel with no chance. It was Njinmah's second goal of the season, both coming from headers.

Stuttgart, however, refused to be deterred and found their equaliser in the 20th minute through Demirović. The Bosnian striker showcased his predatory instincts, converting a sublime cross from Maximilian Mittelstädt with a deft touch from close range. The goal demonstrated Stuttgart's efficiency in front of goal and brought the match back to level terms.

The match was not without controversy, as a potential turning point arose in the 30th minute. Bremen thought they had won a penalty when Njinmah went down in the box under a challenge from Jeff Chabot. Referee Harm Osmers initially pointed to the spot but was prompted to review the incident by VAR. After consulting the pitch-side monitor, Osmers reversed his decision, much to the dismay of the home crowd.

As the first half drew to a close, Bremen came agonisingly close to regaining the lead. In the fourth minute of injury time, Njinmah unleashed a spectacular effort that had Nübel beaten, only to see his shot cannon off the post. The woodwork denied what would have been a contender for goal of the month, leaving the scores level at the break.

Stage steals the show

As the second half wore on, both teams pushed for a winner. Bremen's persistence paid off in the 77th minute when substitute Jens Stage made an impact. The Danish midfielder, who had been on the pitch for about 20 minutes after replacing Bittencourt, latched onto a loose ball in the box following a corner and rifled a shot into the roof of the net, sending the Weser Stadium into raptures.

Just as Bremen thought they had secured all three points, Demirović had other ideas. In the 85th minute, the Stuttgart striker showcased his clinical finishing once more. Latching onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Angelo Stiller, Demirović kept his composure to chip the onrushing Michael Zetterer, bringing the scores level at 2-2 and silencing the home crowd.

Late drama and bookings

The final minutes saw both teams pushing for a winner, with tensions running high. Stiller had earlier received a yellow card in the 54th minute for a foul on Bittencourt. The drama continued as Marvin Ducksch was booked in the 87th minute, reflecting the intensity of the closing stages. Bremen's dominance in set-pieces was evident throughout, as they amassed an impressive 11 corners compared to Stuttgart's 2, but ultimately couldn't find a winning goal.

Player of the Match: Ermedin Demirović

Demirović's stellar performance undoubtedly earned him the Player of the Match accolade. The Stuttgart forward was a constant threat throughout the game, showcasing his predatory instincts with two well-taken goals. His first strike demonstrated his ability to find space in crowded areas, while his late equaliser highlighted his composure under pressure. Demirović's brace not only secured a valuable point for Stuttgart but also underlined his importance to the team's attacking prowess.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bremen 2.12 - Stuttgart 1.8
Fastest player: Derrick Köhn (SVW), 34.39 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-1 by Jens Stage (SVW), 13 percent
Most pressed player: Angelo Stiller (VFB), 26 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Leonardo Bittencourt (SVW), +3.97

Fantasy Heroes: Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart, 284 Points), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart, 271 Points), Niklas Stark (Werder Bremen, 234 Points)