VfB Stuttgart secured a 3-0 friendly win over second-division side 1. FC Heidenheim. The victory provides a welcome boost for Sebastian Hoeneß's side after a difficult start to the Bundesliga season.
The match in Weinstadt saw Stuttgart take a 1-0 lead into halftime after Atakan Karazor scored in the 42nd minute. Lorenz Assignon doubled the advantage in the 72nd minute with a spectacular bicycle kick. "With a spectacular bicycle kick," Assignon said of his goal. Jeff Chabot completed the scoring in the 86th minute.
Jamie Leweling was instrumental in the victory. The Germany international, who was recently overlooked for national team selection, provided the assist for all three goals. He "stood out as the provider of all three goals," according to post-match reports.
There was also a positive return in goal, with Dennis Seimen making his comeback from a long-term injury. The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who suffered a thigh injury in July and had been absent since, played the second half. Fabian Bredlow started the match before being replaced at halftime by Marius Funk.
The win builds confidence for a Stuttgart side sitting 15th in the Bundesliga with just three points from their first four games. Their next competitive fixture is away to 12th-placed SC Paderborn 07 on October 10th. Before that, another friendly against SpVgg Greuther Fürth is scheduled for Thursday.
The report in full is at DIE ZEIT
