Honours even as Stuttgart and Werder forced to settle for a draw

Stuttgart and Werder Bremen shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the MHPArena, as Ermedin Demirović’s second-half strike - just minutes after his introduction - rescued a point for the hosts and lifted them back into the top four.

Ermedin Demirović scores Stuttgart’s equaliser vs. Bremen

Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images

After Jens Stage handed Bremen a surprise lead before the break, Stuttgart responded with resilience despite the lingering fatigue from their midweek extra-time outing, ultimately doing enough to earn a share of the points.

Bremen started brightly, perhaps sensing vulnerability in a Stuttgart side still recovering from their recent exertions. Daniel Thioune’s men threatened early, with Senne Lynen capitalising on hesitant defending to fire off two quick attempts, the second clearing the bar from close range.

Their positive start was rewarded in the 18th minute. Yukinari Sugawara surged down the right and cut the ball back for Stage, who guided a composed first-time finish across Alexander Nübel and into the far corner.

Stuttgart responded almost immediately, gradually asserting control. Bilal El Khannouss came close shortly after the 20-minute mark, meeting Lorenz Assignon’s cross with a firm header that forced Mio Backhaus into a strong save, tipping the effort over.

Bremen nearly doubled their advantage just before half-time when Jovan Milošević beat Dan-Axel Zagadou and cut inside, only to see his curling effort drift narrowly wide of the top corner. The visitors nonetheless went into the interval with a deserved 1-0 lead.

The hosts emerged with renewed intensity after the break, clearly spurred on by Sebastian Hoeneß’s team talk. Their pressure paid off in the 61st minute, as substitute Demirović made an instant impact. Angelo Stiller fed El Khannouss on the left, whose lofted cross was met by the Bosnian striker, heading home from close range.

Despite Stuttgart’s growing momentum, Bremen remained dangerous on the counter. In the 71st minute, Maximilian Mittelstädt failed to deal with a delivery into the box, allowing the ball to reach Stage at the back post. However, the midfielder couldn’t make clean contact, and Nübel gathered comfortably.

Stuttgart pushed for a winner late on and came close with nine minutes remaining. From a well-placed free-kick, Badredine Bouanani forced another excellent save from Backhaus, who continued to impress between the posts.

Both sides committed men forward in the closing stages, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough. After four minutes of added time, the referee brought proceedings to a close with the score level at 1-1.

The result sees Stuttgart extend their winless run to two league matches, though they move back into fourth place on goal difference ahead of Hoffenheim. Bremen, meanwhile, make it two games unbeaten and edge six points clear of the relegation play-off spot with three matches remaining.