VfB Stuttgart saw off Heidenheim 3-0 in a Club Friendly on Thursday evening. The hosts controlled proceedings from the start, with goals at half-time and after the break securing all three points. A third strike late on closed out a straightforward evening for the Bundesliga side.
Alexander Karazor opened the scoring at the 42-minute mark, finishing from close range after Stuttgart worked the ball into a dangerous position. Heidenheim sat deep and soaked it up for the first half, but the visitors found no answer when the game opened up. Léo Assignon made it two shortly after the interval, with a composed finish that caught the defence sleeping.
The statistics tell a simple story. Stuttgart registered 95 attacks to Heidenheim's 78, though possession sat at an even 50-50 split. The hosts had zero corners while the visitors managed one, suggesting Heidenheim struggled to build sustained pressure. By then, the result had taken its shape.
Stuttgart's recent form has been mixed. They lost 1-0 away to Borussia Dortmund and fell 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim, but followed those with victories over Viking and Köln. Heidenheim showed more resilience, drawing 2-2 with Arminia Bielefeld and picking up wins against Holstein Kiel and Greuther Fürt.
The 3-0 scoreline reflects a comfortable performance rather than a statement of intent. Both teams are still finding their rhythm ahead of league action, and this friendly served its purpose. Stuttgart will take confidence from the clean sheet, while Heidenheim have work to do at the back.
