VfB Stuttgart were left cursing VAR in stoppage time as D. Undav’s would-be winner was ruled out for offside in a frustrating 0-0 Bundesliga stalemate against 1899 Hoffenheim.
The drama unfolded in the 90th minute when Undav thought he’d snatched all three points, only for the video assistant referee to spot an offside infringement, encapsulating Stuttgart’s struggles to break down a stubborn Hoffenheim defense.
Stuttgart dominated the attacking statistics, posting a significant 1.04 xG compared to Hoffenheim’s meager 0.12, yet somehow failed to find the breakthrough. The hosts fired 10 shots with three on target, but Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The match descended into a scrappy affair as the frustration mounted. A. Stiller picked up the first yellow card in the 32nd minute for Stuttgart, setting the tone for a physical encounter. The second half proved even more heated, with A. Karazor booked just three minutes after the restart, followed by Hoffenheim’s R. Hranac and A. Hajdari receiving yellow cards in quick succession between the 60th and 66th minutes. T. Tomas joined the booking list for Stuttgart in the 68th minute before being immediately substituted.
Both managers made changes seeking the breakthrough. Stuttgart made their first substitution at halftime through F. Jeltsch, while Hoffenheim responded with F. Asllani in the 65th minute. Late tactical adjustments saw Hoffenheim make two changes in the 88th minute, bringing on A. Prass and T. Lemperle.
Despite controlling 52.7% possession, Hoffenheim managed just four shots all match, defending resolutely with 35 clearances. Stuttgart’s superior 60% tackle success rate couldn’t unlock the visitors, leaving both sides sharing the spoils in a forgettable encounter.
