Stuttgart claim place among Bundesliga big boys but another crossroads looms

Köln had been here before. “It’s not the second time, but the fifth or sixth time,” Marius Bülter said, and coach Lukas Kwasniok called it “Groundhog Day,” after “a more than decent performance against top opponents.” Their remarks underline the sense that Stuttgart have truly arrived at the top of German football.

Ermedin Demirovic gave Stuttgart a first‑half lead, but Kwasniok’s uncharacteristic, ultra‑attacking substitutions swung momentum Köln’s way and Ragnar Ache levelled with 11 minutes to go. The home side steadied themselves: Demirovic restored the lead from Ramon Hendricks’ cross and Deniz Undav sealed the win in stoppage time.

Undav had earlier fluffed a one‑on‑one, his chip too close to Marvin Schwäbe, yet afterwards he and Demirovic faced the media together, Undav praising the Bosnian as having “saved my arse” with his finishes. The pairing form part of a four‑pronged attack alongside Jamie Leweling and Chris Führich, and Demirovic’s opener came after Leweling headed a long crossfield pass into his path.

Germany, Stuttgart

stuttgart, köln, bundesliga, ermedin demirovic, deniz undav, marius bülter, lukas kwasniok, ragnar ache, jamie leweling, chris führich