VfB Stuttgart sent shockwaves through the Bundesliga with a breathtaking 4-1 demolition of champions Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena on Saturday night. The emphatic victory, spearheaded by a brace from in-demand forward Jamie Leweling, announced Stuttgart's serious credentials and provided a perfect audition for several Germany hopefuls in front of DFB sporting director Rudi Völler.
A First-Half Masterclass Stuns the Champions
The visitors produced a near-perfect opening 45 minutes, racing into a scarcely believable 4-0 lead by half-time. Leverkusen, missing key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations and an injury to Patrik Schick, were utterly overwhelmed. Jamie Leweling opened the scoring, arriving late in the box to finish a clever pass from the in-form Deniz Undav. Leweling then added a spectacular second, cutting inside to lash a shot into the net from outside the area.
Undav, who has been in scintillating form, got on the scoresheet himself moments later for Stuttgart's fourth, taking his tally to 10 goals in his last 11 matches. Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand was left bewildered, admitting he had "no decent explanation for what happened" in the one-sided first period.
World Cup Auditions Under the Gaze of Rudi Völler
With seven current German internationals in their starting line-up, Stuttgart knew they had a prime opportunity to impress. Rudi Völler, a Leverkusen legend now in charge of the national team, was watching from the stands. He later praised Stuttgart's "exceptional" first 20-25 minutes, a performance he had rarely witnessed from an away side in Leverkusen in recent years.
While several players, including Angelo Stiller, Chris Führich, and goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, enhanced their claims, it was 24-year-old Jamie Leweling who stole the show. His dynamism and versatility, popping up in dangerous positions from deep and wide, were unplayable. His development has already attracted a €40m bid from Bournemouth this January, which Stuttgart rejected, anticipating his value could soar with a strong showing for Germany this summer.
Hoeness Breaks His Hoodoo and Reshapes the Table
The victory was particularly sweet for Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness, who had never beaten Leverkusen in 11 previous attempts across his tenures at Hoffenheim and Stuttgart. This most emphatic of wins not only ended that run but also propelled his side level on points with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga table, dramatically reducing the goal difference gap between the two sides.
The result underscores Stuttgart's remarkable progress under Hoeness. The style and swagger of their play, built on a solid foundation and lethal attacking transitions, marks them out as genuine contenders. As the race for places in Germany's World Cup squad heats up, the VfB Stuttgart contingent, expertly steered by their manager, have made a compelling case that they are headed for something special.
Bundesliga Results Round-up: Elsewhere, Bayern Munich began 2024 with an 8-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg, while Borussia Dortmund were held to a frantic 3-3 draw by Eintracht Frankfurt. The weekend was overshadowed for Hamburg SV by off-pitch allegations against former sporting director Stefan Kuntz, who was dismissed by the club following accusations of sexual harassment, which he denies.
