VfB Stuttgart successfully secured a 4-1 victory over 1. FC Cologne during the second matchday of the Bundesliga.
The home side took the lead in the 39th minute. VfB defender Josha Vagnoman put in a cross from the right side, approximately thirty meters out, which was successfully converted by Bilal El Khannouss. El Khannouss managed to dribble past two Cologne players before ultimately knocking past guest defender Luka Lochoshvili with a strong shot. The goal was reinforced after Gideon Mensah, a Cologne defender, altered the path of the shot, directing it into the bottom left corner.
Prömel extended the lead for Stuttgart in the 60th minute. El Khannouss received the ball on the left flank and played a low pass along the baseline to Maximilian Mittelstädt, who had accelerated into space. Mittelstädt’s simple pass into the central area allowed Grischa Prömel to shoot a free-kick with the inside of his boot, slamming the ball into the net.
Ermedin Demirović built the advantage to 3-0 during the 75th minute. Finn Jeltsch played the ball from the VfB half to Demirović. Demirović skillfully evaded Cologne defender Lochoshvili using a turn, increased his pace along the right wing, entered the opponent’s box, and powerfully shot the ball into the net from a tight angle.
Cologne pulled one back in the 81st minute via an own goal by Ramon Hendriks. The recently substituted Cologne midfielder, Reigan Heskey, provided a pass for Mikey Moore in the vicinity of the penalty area, who then crossed low toward the five-meter mark. Marius Bülter entered the area and contested the ball with Hendriks, managing to push the ball over the goal line. Hendriks slightly flicked the shot as it crossed.
Josha Vagnoman sealed the 4-1 victory for VfB in the 90th minute. After a corner kick by the home team, Cologne striker Imad Rondić headed the ball into the central area. Vagnoman, positioned there, volleyed the ball directly into the right corner.
This win temporarily lifts VfB Stuttgart to 7th place in the standings, while 1. FC Cologne remains in 8th position.
