VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim level on points in thrilling European battle

On Matchday 32, VfB Stuttgart’s draw with Hoffenheim allowed Bayer Leverkusen to draw level with both of those sides on 58 points, which they duly did with a 4-1 triumph over RB Leipzig. As such, the three teams are neck-on-neck with a UEFA Champions League qualification spot on the line heading into the final two weeks of the season.

Like a Stephen King novel, the Champions League race will have a thrilling ending following a Saturday afternoon that had Bundesliga fans across the world on the edge of their seats.

First, Stuttgart came from two goals down and with a man fewer after Atakan Karazor’s red card to draw with Hoffenheim away from home, snatching a share of the spoils in the fifth minute of injury time – striker Ermedin Demirović even called it “the most important of the season” in the race for Champions League football.

“Had we lost this game, the door would have been closed. It would have instead been Hoffenheim in the Champions League,” he added. Alexander Nübel, meanwhile, added that “the draw felt like a win” as it kept the Swabians level with Christian Ilzer’s men instead of three points behind.

The draw, though, played into Leverkusen’s hands more than anyone. “The Stuttgart draw was very good for us and gave us a big opportunity,” said Werkself head coach Kasper Hjulmand, underlining the importance of that result. And Leverkusen ultimately grasped the chance with both hands as they put Leipzig to the sword.

“We took advantage. Now, with two wins, we can achieve our objective. It is really, really important that we make sure it stays in our hands,” Hjulmand continued after a victory that moved his side up to fourth and above Hoffenheim and Stuttgart thanks to their superior goal difference.

It really couldn’t be any tighter in the race for Champions League football, an achievement that would resonate differently for each team. While that was the minimum requirement for Leverkusen before the start of the season, Stuttgart will have seen it as an achievable goal.

Hoffenheim, meanwhile, could only have dreamt of a top-four finish after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Speaking following the Stuttgart encounter, Ilzer said, “We have a chance, while Stuttgart are under pressure. At the end of the day, the pitch never lies. You finish in the position you deserve at the end of the campaign.”

It remains to be seen what happens over the next two matchdays. Next weekend, though, Stuttgart and Leverkusen will face each other in another huge clash – a scenario even the great King would have struggled to come up with.