SC Freiburg Vs VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings: Igor Matanovic Rated 9/10 as Freiburg's Stunning Late Comeback Secures 3-1 Victory

The match between Freiburg and Stuttgart at Europa-Park Stadion was an absolute thriller. For about 80 minutes, it felt like a standard away performance from VfB Stuttgart. They grabbed an early lead through a sharp finish from Ermedin Demirovic and seemed to be managing the game with a degree of comfort. SC Freiburg were huffing and puffing, creating some half-chances but lacking that final, decisive touch.

Then, everything changed in a flash. The introduction of substitutes Igor Matanovic and Derry Scherhant completely revitalized the home side in a way that was stunning to witness. It was a tactical masterclass from J. Schuster. Matanovic's equalizer in the 81st minute blew the game wide open, and from our perspective, VfB Stuttgart just crumbled under the sudden pressure.

The drama didn't stop there. A clumsy, almost desperate challenge from Finn Jeltsch gifted Freiburg a penalty, which Matanovic calmly dispatched to seal the incredible comeback in this thrilling encounter. Here are the SC Freiburg vs VfB Stuttgart player ratings.

VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings vs SC Freiburg

Here are the VfB Stuttgart player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Alexander Nübel - 5.5: For most of the match, he had very little to do. He made a couple of decent saves, including one to deny Derry Scherhant initially. However, conceding three goals in the final ten minutes is a nightmare for any keeper. He couldn't be faulted directly for the goals, but he was a spectator to his team's collapse.

Defenders

Josha Vagnoman - 5.5: A very average performance. He was decent enough going forward in the first half and put in a few tackles. But he was part of a defensive unit that completely lost its head when the pressure was on. He was substituted before the final nail in the coffin.

Maximilian Mittelstädt - 6.5: Looked like one of Stuttgart's better players before he was subbed off. He was solid defensively, winning most of his duels and using the ball well. From our view, his departure might have unsettled the backline's balance just before the chaos began.

Jeff Chabot - 6.0: A tale of two halves for the big defender. His stats look impressive with 11 duels won and 13 clearances, and for 80 minutes he was a rock. But when Freiburg turned up the heat, he was overwhelmed like the rest. A solid individual display undone by the team's collective failure.

Finn Jeltsch - 4.0: A really tough day for the young defender. He looked composed for large parts of the game but made the critical error by conceding the penalty. That clumsy tackle on Johan Manzambi showed his inexperience and ultimately killed any hope of a Stuttgart recovery. A harsh lesson learned.

Midfielders

Angelo Stiller - 5.5: He kept the ball ticking over in midfield for an hour, but his influence waned significantly. As Freiburg pushed forward, he was unable to regain control of the tempo. He became a passenger when his team needed a leader to calm things down.

Bilal El Khannouss - 5.0: A frustrating performance to watch. He showed flashes of skill but was ultimately ineffective. He lost possession too often and his late yellow card for a cynical foul summed up his and his team's frustration. Not his best outing.

Atakan Karazor - 6.0: The captain battled hard in the middle of the park, winning eight duels and making numerous clearances. He led by example with his work rate for much of the game. However, he was eventually overrun by Freiburg's energetic substitutes and was subbed off late on.

Jamie Leweling - 6.0: Provided the cross for Demirovic's goal and looked threatening at times. However, he was also wasteful, losing the ball 12 times. His end product just wasn't consistent enough throughout the 90 minutes. A mixed bag of a performance.

Badredine Bouanani - 5.5: He was involved in some decent link-up play in the first half and set up a good chance. However he faded from the game significantly after the break. It was no surprise to see him substituted just after the hour mark.

Forwards

Ermedin Demirovic - 7.5: Stuttgart's best player on the day. He took his goal with a classic poacher's instinct and was a constant handful for the Freiburg defence. His work rate was immense, and his substitution was a bit of a surprise. The team lost its focal point when he left the pitch.

Substitutes

Tiago Tomás - 5.0: Came on and barely made an impact. The game passed him by.

Chema Andres - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Chris Führich - N/A: Brought on in the 89th minute with the game already lost.

Lorenz Assignon - N/A: Same as Führich, no time to influence anything.

Manager

S. Hoeneß - 4.5: For 80 minutes, his game plan worked perfectly. But his team showed zero resilience when faced with adversity. His substitutions failed to have a positive effect, and he watched his side completely capitulate in the final stages. A very poor result from a winning position.

SC Freiburg Player Ratings vs VfB Stuttgart

Here are the SC Freiburg player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Noah Atubolu - 7.0: A confident and assured performance from the Freiburg keeper. He could do little about the goal he conceded. He was commanding in his box, claimed high balls well, and made a key save. He provided the stability his team needed to launch their comeback.

Defenders

Philipp Lienhart - 6.5: A bit of a shaky start, but he grew into the game. He struggled with Demirovic at times but improved as the match went on. A solid, if unspectacular, outing in the end.

Lukas Kübler - 7.5: A fantastic performance from the right-back. He was a constant threat going forward, creating two chances and grabbing an assist. He was also solid defensively, winning his tackles and providing energy down the flank all game long.

Matthias Ginter - 7.0: The experienced head at the back. He read the game well, making several important interceptions and clearances. His distribution from the back helped launch attacks, and he remained calm even when his team was trailing. A true leader's performance.

Jordy Makengo - 7.0: Very impressive display. He won 80% of his duels, which is an outstanding statistic. He was strong in the tackle and composed on the ball, looking very comfortable at this level. A really promising performance.

Midfielders

Patrick Osterhage - 6.5: A workhorse in midfield. He covered a lot of ground and worked tirelessly for the team before being forced off with an injury. He did miss a big headed chance in the first half, but his energy was crucial to Freiburg staying in the contest.

Maximilian Eggestein - 6.0: A quiet game by his standards. He was tidy in possession but didn't impose himself on the match as he can. He did his job without any fuss but wasn't a standout performer.

Niklas Beste - 6.5: He was a livewire and always looked to make something happen. His delivery from wide areas was a constant threat, though not always accurate. He drew several fouls and never stopped running. A good shift.

Vincenzo Grifo - 7.0: The creative spark for Freiburg before he was substituted. He created three chances, including a big one, and always looked dangerous on the ball. The team looked more potent as soon as he got possession in the final third. His substitution was part of the master plan that won the game.

Johan Manzambi - 6.5: What a chaotic performance. He won the crucial penalty with a clever run, showing great attacking intent. But then he got himself sent off with a needless second foul late in stoppage time. He was a key part of the win but the red card was just silly.

Forwards

Lucas Höler - 6.0: He fought for every ball and was a physical nuisance, as always. He won a decent number of aerial duels but offered little goal threat. A typical battling performance, but the team's attack improved after he was replaced.

Substitutes

Igor Matanovic - 9.0: The undisputed man of the match. To come off the bench and score two goals, including a high-pressure penalty, is simply incredible. He completely changed the game with his presence and clinical finishing. An absolutely perfect substitution and one of the highest ratings we'll give all season.

Derry Scherhant - 8.5: Almost as impactful as Matanovic. He brought chaos and directness, and his goal to put Freiburg ahead was a moment of pure quality. He terrified the Stuttgart defence from the moment he stepped on the pitch.

Nicolas Höfler - N/A: Came on late to see the game out.

Eren Dinkçi - N/A: Brought on to provide fresh legs in the final minutes.

Manager

J. Schuster - 9.0: A genius. His team was second-best for 80 minutes, but his substitutions were inspired. He correctly identified that changes were needed and brought on two players who completely turned the game on its head. He deserves immense credit for this incredible comeback victory.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Igor Matanovic