Stuttgart’s Bundesliga journey began with a double draw. Two points that nevertheless leave the American coach – but of clearly Italian origins – Pellegrino Matarazzo satisfied, especially for the quality of the game expressed by his team, once again aggressive and proactive in the ball possession phase as two seasons ago. The tribulations of last year, with the Schwaben fighting to avoid relegation practically until the last day, seemed a distant memory. Of course, they missed out on victories against Leipzig (1-1) and Werder Bremen (2-2), which would have been the classic icing on the cake. But Endo and his teammates cannot be blamed for anything.
If a good day dawns, Stuttgart can look forward to an important season, in which some satisfaction might also arrive. For example, qualification for Europe, which was only just missed in 2020-21, as a newly promoted team. In any case, it left a bitter taste in the mouth when the equalising goal was conceded in the dying minutes against Werder, a goal that effectively denied Matarazzo his first three-point joy.
Stuttgart will be tested this weekend by Freiburg, the big surprise of the last Bundesliga, which ended with a sensational sixth place that will allow them to play in the Europa League group stage. After a bombastic start, marked by a 4-0 away win against Augsburg, Christian Streich’s side took a step backwards on the second day, failing what was something of a litmus test against Borussia Dortmund, who ran away 3-1 at the Europa-Park Stadion. It was a match with a far from straightforward script, which Grifo and his team-mates only lost due to a disastrous ending after being ahead for almost eighty minutes of play.
©️Ansafoto
The Prediction
A very interesting match, between two teams who appeared to be in good health and who both aspire to finish on the left side of the table. Freiburg, however, seem to have something more than Stuttgart: They would not have deserved the defeat against Borussia Dortmund and at the Mercedes-Benz Arena they will almost certainly go out undefeated. We are likely to see a spirited match, with at least one goal each.
Stuttgart v Freiburg likely line-up
STOCCARDA (3-4-1-2): Müller; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Vagnoman, Endo, Ahamada, Sosa; Führich; Kalajdzic, Silas.
FREIBURG (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter; Eggestein, Höfler; Sallai, Doan, Grifo; Gregoritsch.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
