VfB Stuttgart overturned a first-minute setback to beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3-1 in Bundesliga Round 33 at MHP Arena. Aleix García struck inside 60 seconds, but Ermedin Demirović leveled quickly, Maximilian Mittelstädt converted a first-half penalty, and Deniz Undav finished it off after the break. The numbers backed the result, with Stuttgart ahead on xG 2.78 to 0.56 and 20 shots to 6, per Sofascore.

A lightning start, then a swift reply

Leverkusen silenced the home crowd immediately when Christian Kofane found Aleix García, who finished with his left foot for 0-1 at 1 minute. Stuttgart reacted fast. A neat move down the right ended with Nikolas Nartey slipping in Demirović, who drilled home at 5 minutes.

From there, Stuttgart carried more threat, forcing Mark Flekken into saves and piling up entries into the final third.

Penalty swing before halftime

There was a VAR check for a possible penalty at 45+4 that did not go Stuttgart’s way. Moments later, Edmond Tapsoba conceded a spot-kick, and Mittelstädt made no mistake at 45+7 for 2-1.

The hosts closed the half with a 57% possession share and a 1.94 xG total, reflecting their pressure. Leverkusen’s back line had to clear often and leaned on Flekken to keep the score manageable.

Undav seals it, then limps off

Stuttgart struck again on 58 minutes. Jamie Leweling curved in a precise cross and Undav met it with a right-foot finish for 3-1. The captain later went off injured in the 68th minute, with Tiago Tomás replacing him.

Leverkusen introduced Malik Tillman and Arthur to add control, then Ernest Poku and Eliesse Ben Seghir late on. The visitors saw more of the ball in the second half but created little, finishing with just two shots after the break.