Fulham held on for a narrow win against VfB Stuttgart in a Club Friendly on Friday, the only goal coming in the second half. The match ended 1-0, with Thomas Castagne finding the net in the 67th minute to settle the contest. It was a quiet evening for both sides, with chances at a premium and few moments that demanded attention.
Castagne's goal arrived after a period of frustration for the hosts, who had dominated possession without creating clear openings. The shot was well-taken, and once it was in the net, the match settled into a rhythm. Stuttgart had their own moments but could not find the equaliser, and Fulham held their nerve through the closing stages.
Both managers made changes around the 73rd minute, bringing on J. Chabot, A. Stiller and E. Demirovic in a single wave. J. King followed at 78 and G. Garcia made his appearance late, at 89. The substitutions did not shift the balance of the game, but they gave younger players a chance to test themselves against a different standard.
The statistics tell a familiar story for friendlies: 50 per cent possession for each side, but a clear gap in attacking output. Fulham registered 120 attacks to Stuttgart's 91, and they won 9 corners to 3. The figures suggest the hosts carved out more territory, even if the final scoreline barely reflects that advantage.
Both sides enter their seasons with momentum. Fulham have been unbeaten in their last five friendlies, while Stuttgart have also kept their record clean since losing to Everton. This result does not change any table, but it gives both managers something to build on before the real campaign begins.
