VfB Stuttgart 4-1 Köln: Vagnoman leads four-goal response

VfB Stuttgart defeated 1. FC Köln 4-1 at MHPArena on Friday, September 4, earning a convincing Bundesliga victory after leading 1-0 at half-time. Bilal El Khannouss, Grischa Prömel, Ermedin Demirović and Josha Vagnoman scored for Stuttgart, while Marius Bülter pulled one back for Köln late on.

Stuttgart establish control

The opening half was closely contested, but Stuttgart made their pressure count in the 39th minute. Vagnoman supplied the assist for El Khannouss, whose finish gave the hosts the lead before the interval. Köln responded with a change at half-time, sending Ellyes Skhiri on for Paul Okon-Engstler and Mikey Moore on for Jan Thielmann, but Stuttgart remained the more effective side.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 60th minute when Mittelstädt assisted Prömel. Stuttgart then added two goals in the closing stages. Demirović, introduced for Deniz Undav in the 70th minute, scored in the 75th minute after Finn Jeltsch created the opportunity. Köln immediately made further changes, bringing on Bülter and Reigan Heskey, and Bülter reduced the deficit to 3-1 in the 81st minute. Any prospect of a late recovery ended when Vagnoman scored in the 90th minute.

Possession and chance creation

Stuttgart had the stronger overall numbers, enjoying 58% possession and completing 447 accurate passes compared with Köln’s 316. They also led total shots 22-18, shots on target 8-5 and corners 10-8. Köln’s 14 shots inside the box compared with Stuttgart’s 15 showed that the visitors still found opportunities, but Stuttgart converted their chances more decisively. The hosts also recorded 522 total passes to Köln’s 379, reinforcing their control of the match.

The goalkeeping figures offered a slightly different perspective: Köln’s goalkeeper made four saves, one more than Stuttgart’s, while Köln registered nine shots off target to Stuttgart’s eight. Those numbers reflected a competitive attacking contribution from the visitors, but not enough precision to keep pace with Stuttgart’s four goals.

Discipline and standout performer

The match produced four yellow cards and no red cards. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was booked for Köln in the 41st minute, Mittelstädt received Stuttgart’s only caution in the 51st, and Tom Krauß and Alessio Castro-Montes were booked late for Köln.

Vagnoman was the standout performer, receiving an 8.3 rating after playing all 90 minutes. He contributed one goal, one assist and four key passes, finishing the match with a decisive role at both ends of Stuttgart’s attacking effort. Prömel also stood out with a 8.2 rating and a goal.

The result gives Stuttgart their first Bundesliga points of the campaign after their listed opening loss, while Köln’s listed opening win is followed by their first defeat. Stuttgart entered the round ranked 18th with zero points, and Köln were ranked seventh with three; the result significantly changes the immediate form picture for both teams.