VfB Stuttgart 2-0 St. Pauli Player Ratings: Nikola Vasilj 9/10 Rated as Dominant Display Secures 2-0 Victory

VfB Stuttgart delivered a commanding performance at the MHPArena, clinching a comfortable 2-0 victory over a struggling St. Pauli. The home side asserted their dominance from the get-go, though they had to wait until the cusp of halftime to break the deadlock. It was a thoroughly deserved win in this Bundesliga encounter.

The match was defined by key moments. VfB Stuttgart had a golden opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot, but Angelo Stiller saw his effort brilliantly saved by the heroic Nikola Vasilj. From our perspective, that save could have shifted the momentum. However, Stuttgart’s resolve was unshaken, and Ermedin Demirovic finally found the net just before the break, followed by a second-half strike from Bilal El Khannouss.

St. Pauli, on the other hand, looked out of their depth for large parts of the match. They offered little going forward, with their best chance coming when Louis Oppie rattled the crossbar. It was a day to forget for the visitors, who were second-best across the park. Here are the VfB Stuttgart vs St. Pauli player ratings.

VfB Stuttgart Player Ratings vs St. Pauli

Here are the VfB Stuttgart player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Alexander Nübel - 7.0: A quiet day at the office for the Stuttgart keeper. He made a couple of decent saves when called upon and commanded his area well. His distribution was tidy, and he was a calm presence, securing a well-earned clean sheet. What stood out to us was his concentration throughout.

Defenders

Maximilian Mittelstädt - 7.5: A really solid outing before his injury-forced substitution. He was defensively sound, making four crucial interceptions. He also supported the attack, creating two chances and looking comfortable on the ball. His absence was felt in the final minutes.

Lorenz Assignon - 7.0: A very busy performance on the right flank. He was a constant outlet, firing off three shots and getting into dangerous positions. He was a bit rash with his four fouls, but his energy and attacking intent were impressive throughout the game. A good shift.

Jeff Chabot - 8.0: An absolute colossus at the back. From our perspective, he was one of the best players on the pitch. He won a staggering 11 out of 13 duels and was a rock that St. Pauli's attackers just couldn't get past. His five interceptions show how well he read the game.

Finn Jeltsch- 7.5: Formed a formidable partnership with Chabot. He was incredibly composed for a defender, with a 91% pass accuracy. Made some key blocks and clearances, and looked assured in everything he did. A very mature performance.

Midfielders

Angelo Stiller - 6.0: A really mixed performance. He was everywhere, dictating play with 97 touches but the missed penalty is a massive mark against his name. He lost possession a lot and missed another big chance. It felt like he was trying to do too much to make up for the penalty miss.

Tiago Tomás - 7.5: A livewire until he was subbed off. He was a nightmare for the opposition defenders, winning the penalty with his quick feet and drawing four fouls. His constant dribbling and direct running caused all sorts of problems. We were surprised he was taken off.

Bilal El Khannouss - 8.5: Absolutely outstanding. He scored a well-taken goal and was the creative hub for his team, creating three key chances. His vision and passing range were a joy to watch. From our perspective, he was Stuttgart's best player and a deserving goalscorer.

Jamie Leweling - 8.0: Provided a crucial assist for the opening goal and was a creative force throughout. He created three chances, including two big ones, and his link-up play with Demirovic was excellent. A selfless and intelligent performance.

Chema Andrés - 8.0: The unsung hero in midfield. He did all the dirty work, winning 9 of his 12 duels and recovering the ball eight times. He broke up play effectively and provided a solid shield for the defense. A fantastic, disciplined display.

Forwards

Ermedin Demirovic - 8.5: A classic striker's performance. He got the all-important opening goal and then turned provider for the second. His movement was sharp, and he was clinical when it mattered most. A goal and an assist is a brilliant return for any forward.

Substitutes

Chris Führich - 6.0: Came on and looked lively, setting up a chance.

Badredine Bouanani - 6.0: Forced a good save late on.

Ramon Hendriks - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Atakan Karazor - N/A: Came on late to see the game out.

Nikolas Nartey - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.

Manager

S. Hoeneß - 8.0: He got his tactics spot on. The team was well-organized, dominant in possession, and created numerous chances. His side never panicked after the penalty miss and saw out the victory professionally. A great day at the office for the manager.

St. Pauli Player Ratings vs VfB Stuttgart

Here are the St. Pauli player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Nikola Vasilj - 9.0: The undisputed man of the match, despite being on the losing side. He was simply phenomenal. The penalty save was the highlight, but he made six saves in total, several of them spectacular. Without him, the scoreline could have been embarrassing for St. Pauli. A heroic performance.

Defenders

Hauke Wahl - 5.5: He had a difficult game against a fluid Stuttgart attack. While he made five clearances and won most of his duels, he looked overwhelmed at times. It was a tough battle that he mostly lost.

Eric Smith - 4.0: A day to forget for the captain. He gave away the penalty with a clumsy challenge and looked off the pace throughout. He was a liability at the back and his decision-making was poor. Definitely the worst performer on the pitch.

Adam Dzwigala - 5.0: Struggled to contain the movement of Stuttgart's forwards. He made some good tackles and his passing was decent, but he was part of a defensive unit that was completely outplayed. He was constantly put under pressure.

Midfielders

Manolis Saliakas - 5.5: He worked hard down the flank and won all four of his duels. However, his final product was lacking and he lost possession too many times. He was substituted after failing to make a significant impact.

James Sands - 4.5: A really tough afternoon for Sands. He was overrun in midfield, losing 13 of his 20 duels and committing five fouls, which earned him a yellow card. He struggled to get a foothold in the game and was often bypassed.

Joel Chima Fujita - 6.5: One of the few bright spots for St. Pauli. He never stopped trying to make things happen, creating three chances for his teammates. He looked composed on the ball and showed some real quality in a losing effort.

Louis Oppie - 5.5: Incredibly unlucky to hit the woodwork with a great effort. That moment summed up his and his team's day. He showed flashes of intent but ultimately couldn't provide the spark needed to get his team back in the game.

Forwards

Danel Sinani - 5.0: An anonymous performance before he was forced off with an injury. He struggled to get involved, losing possession 25 times in his 74 minutes. It was a frustrating outing for the attacker.

Andréas Hountondji - 4.5: Completely isolated up front. He had very few touches and lost all of his duels, offering no threat to the Stuttgart defence. A very quiet and ineffective display.

Mathias Pereira Lage - 5.5: He tried to be positive, attempting a couple of dribbles and drawing fouls. However, he was fighting a losing battle with little support. He worked hard but had minimal impact on the proceedings.

Substitutes

Oladapo Afolayan - 5.5: Came on and immediately got a yellow card.

Martijn Kaars - 5.0: Offered little after coming on.

Connor Metcalfe - 5.5: Had a shot blocked but couldn't change the game.

Lars Ritzka - N/A: Not enough time to rate.

Arkadiusz Pyrka - N/A: Came on late.

Manager

A. Blessin - 4.5: His team was thoroughly outclassed. The tactical setup seemed wrong from the start, as his players were unable to cope with Stuttgart's pressure or create any meaningful attacks. He failed to find any answers and his substitutions had little effect.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Nikola Vasilj