VfB Stuttgart handed Borussia Dortmund's new coach Niko Kovač a tough debut, defeating the hosts 2-1 at Signal Iduna Park, marking the visitors' resurgence as they vie for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton ignited the scoring with an own goal just five minutes after the break, redirecting Chris Führich's cross past his own goalkeeper. The team soon followed it with another goal by Jeff Chabot, who volleyed home his first Bundesliga goal, capitalizing on Leweling's assist, giving Stuttgart a commanding 2-0 lead.
Dortmund, having controlled 66 percent of the ball, struggled to find the net until late. Julian Brandt tapped one back for Dortmund, but it was a case of too little, too late, especially after Dortmund had to battle with ten men when Julian Ryerson received his second yellow card just before the game's end.
Chabot's performance earned him the Player of the Match title due to his defensive contributions and pivotal goal, encapsulating Stuttgart's clinical counter-attacking strategy. Dortmund, with missed chances, must now regroup as they remain anchored at the bottom half of the table.
Meanwhile, at the Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen battled to a goalless draw, leaving Leverkusen trailing Bayern Munich. The tightly contested match saw the hosts, Wolfsburg, nullify Leverkusen’s attack thanks to solid defensive displays led by Denis Vavro.
Wolfsburg's promising start momentarily faltered when they had an earlier goal disallowed for offside after VAR review. Still, they managed to create several chances, with Maximilian Arnold almost converting, forcing Leverkusen's goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký to save skillfully.
Leverkusen struggled due to multiple line-up changes but showcased their pressing prowess through Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, who were brought on to heighten attacking pressure. Wolfsburg's Vavro, named Player of the Match, delivered key interventions, outsmarting Leverkusen's offensive attempts at every turn.
Matchday 21 outcomes spotlight the intense competition both at the top and bottom of the Bundesliga as the league heats up, and teams struggle to solidify their standings heading toward the final stages of the season.