VFB (0 - 0) SGE – 55'
Stuttgart has been dominant throughout the first half, controlling possession deep in Frankfurt's half. Leon's constant threat down the right has forced Frankfurt's right-back to stay wide, limiting his movement into midfield when they have the ball.
Stuttgart moves the ball around with precision and pace, eventually working it to Leon on the left wing. He looks far more dangerous in this half than he did in the first.
He decides to take on the right-back, throwing in quick stepovers with both feet, creating an illusion—will he drive to the byline on his left or cut inside on his right?
Leon makes his move—cutting inside toward the penalty box. Using the defender's body positioning to his advantage, he bursts past him just as the defender tries to turn. But it's too late—Leon is already through.
Now, another challenge awaits—the center-back stands ready in the middle, with the defensive midfielder closing in to help. Leon scans the field and spots Felix making a run behind the defense.
Leon threads a perfectly weighted pass into the box. Felix times his run well—no defenders in front of him, just the keeper standing between him and the goal.
As he winds up to strike, he's caught from behind and crashes to the ground inside the box.
Felix lets out a cry, and the referee immediately blows the whistle, pointing to the penalty spot. The defender is shown a yellow card.
No protests from Frankfurt—only Stuttgart players pleading for a red.
The referee stands firm, explaining that the foul was an attempt to play the ball, making it a yellow-card offense rather than a red.
After a brief stoppage for medical attention, Felix steps up to take the penalty.
He places the ball on the spot, then steps back, hands on his waist, locking eyes with the keeper. He glances at both bottom corners, then slowly steps forward.
The keeper braces himself, ready to react.
With a quick step, Felix strikes the ball with power and precision, sending it soaring toward the top left corner.
The keeper guesses correctly—but the shot is too strong, too accurate, and too high for him to reach.
The ball smashes into the net.
Felix stands in the middle of the penalty box, arms wide open, waiting for his teammates to embrace him.
GOAL! VFB (1 - 0) SGE – 58'
Scorer: Felix Bauer
After the goal, Frankfurt regains momentum, launching wave after wave of attacks. Stuttgart struggles to cope, resorting to clearing the ball out of their half just to relieve the pressure.
"Felix looks slower than he did at the start of the half. That tackle probably took him out—we should sub him," the coach tells his assistant.
"We also need someone who can create more for our wide players. Our front three is solid, but we're lacking creativity up front."
After a quick discussion, they call over Che, Petrovskyi, and Kenmoe to start warming up.
Che's heart pounds as he watches the battle unfold on the pitch—he's ready to get out there.
Five minutes later, they're told to suit up. They inform the assistant referee and wait for the ball to go out of play.
Frankfurt works the ball to their left winger, who dribbles toward the center of the pitch. But Matic stays tight on him, suffocating his space, refusing to let him think.
With his back to Matic, the winger pulls off a reverse step-over with his right foot and changes the direction toward the sideline. Matic stays close, chasing him down.
Sensing the pressure, the winger suddenly cuts inside—nutmegging Matic in the process.
Now facing the middle of the pitch, he sees Yigit sliding in for a tackle. He reacts instantly, dragging the ball from his right foot to his left, skipping past the challenge.
With space ahead, he plays a quick pass to his forward sprinting down the left. The striker receives it, cuts inside, but the defender stays in front of him.
He lays it off to the winger, who has found open space at the edge of the penalty box.
The winger holds the ball for a moment, then spots his right-back calling for it—completely unmarked.
The right-back takes a touch, then lifts his head toward goal.
From outside the box, he goes for it—this time, not power, but finesse and curl.
The ball bends beautifully, heading straight for the top corner.
No mistake this time.
It glides into the net, and the crowd erupts.
His teammates rush to grab the ball, while the right-back flicks his wrist in admiration of his own stunning strike.
GOAL! VFB (1 - 1) SGE 67'
Scorer: Natnael Abraha
Assist: Leonidas Ilias Tsiokos