Stuttgart Return to Top Four Despite Draw as Bremen Boost Survival Bid

Sluggish Stuttgart held 1-1 by Bremen after DFB-Pokal exertions 

Werder Bremen hold Stuttgart 1-1 to go six points above Bundesliga relegation zone. Stage scores before Demirovic equaliser for hosts.

Ermedin Demirovic headed Stuttgart level in Bundesliga draw at MHPArena...

VfB Stuttgart climbed back into the Bundesliga top four despite a 1-1 draw with SV Werder Bremen. The result leaves Bremen six points above the relegation zone, with the visitors now unbeaten in four of their last five meetings with Stuttgart.

A sluggish start from Stuttgart was no surprise after Thursday’s extra-time win that secured their second straight DFB-Pokal final appearance.

Bremen nearly struck early against the run of play. Senne Lynen, still without a goal in 92 Bundesliga games, wasted two chances before Jens Stage sent a looping header wide of the far post.

Stuttgart ignored the early warning signs and paid the price in the 18th minute. Jens Stage stayed hot, firing a slick first-time finish low into the corner from Yukinari Sugawara’s cutback.

Bremen keeper Mio Backhaus had to stay sharp, first pushing away a powerful Bilal El Khannouss header, then collecting Maximilian Mittelstadt’s deflected free-kick.

Backhaus saved his best for stoppage time, clawing away Deniz Undav’s curling strike. Seconds earlier, Jovan Milosevic blew a golden chance to double Bremen’s lead, curling wide after leaving Dan-Axel Zagado on the ground.

Stuttgart looked no better after the break, forcing Sebastian Hoeneß to turn to his bench and send on Chris Fuhrich and Ermedin Demirovic.

⏹️ Spielende in Stuttgart. Der VfB und Werder Bremen trennen sich mit einem 1:1-Unentschieden. Die Jungs aus Cannstatt sind gerade im zweiten Durchgang das bessere und gefährlichere Team, können aus den Chancen aber kein Kapital schlagen, um den nächsten Heimsieg einzufahren.… pic.twitter.com/TgjlYaMvVH

— VfB Stuttgart 1893 (@VfB) April 26, 2026

It was an inspired change. Four minutes after coming on, Demirovic met El Khannouss’ cross with a header to level the score.

Bremen offered little going forward after halftime, but still had a huge chance to retake the lead. Stage was left unmarked in the six-yard box yet could only roll a tame effort straight at Alexander Nubel.

At the other end, Backhaus pushed Angelo Stiller’s free-kick clear as Bremen held on for a point. The draw takes them above three relegation rivals and six points clear of the bottom three.

 

It’s Bremen’s first point this season against the current top five. For Stuttgart, it’s now three games without a win in their last four Bundesliga matches.