BerlincTypeface:> VfB Stuttgart rebounded from mid-week German Cup heartbreak with a comfortable 3-1 Bundesliga victory over lowly Mainz on Sunday. Maximilian Mittelstädt opened the scoring into the far corner off Stenzel’s cross from the right, and three minutes later Stenzel also set up Jamie Leweling for the second. Both goals came at the start of 15 minutes of first half stoppage time, given after fans had thrown tennis balls and other objects onto the pitch in ongoing protests against plans of the German Football League to bring in a strategic partner. Deniz Undav fired the third in the 73rd for a season tally of 14 after controlling a pass well with his chest and beating a defender. Ludovic Ajorque headed the consolation goal for Mainz three minutes later. (dpa)
Stuttgart had lost a German Cup quarter-final 3-2 at Bayer Leverkusen in the final minute on Tuesday but showed a strong reaction in the league where they are are third in an impressive season.
They are seven points behind Bayern Munich and 12 off leaders Leverkusen who beat Bayern 3-0 in a table topper on Saturday. More important, Stuttgart are six points ahead of RB Leipzig in fifth as they are eyeing a Champions League berth.
