Stuttgart strikes, Leipzig slides, Bremen revives!
Mainz's Jae-sung Lee celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Werder Bremen and FSV Mainz 05 at Weserstadion. Carmen Jaspersen/dpa Deniz Undaz continued his sparkling run of form with the only goal as fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart beat Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig on Sunday to edge closer to a Champions League berth. Leipzig, in fifth, slipped three points behind the hosts in the race for the top four after Undav - trying to force his way back into the Germany squad - scored his 16th league goal of the season.
A poor ball out from Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt eventually led to Undav nonchalantly scoring on 56 minutes. "It was an important win for us, Leipzig are a top team," Undav, second top scorer in the Bundesliga behind 30-goal Harry Kane, told DAZN. "I think we gave a very good team performance today.
" Stuttgart had the most chances but Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner wasted a golden opportunity when he blazed over at 0-0. The visitors also hit the post twice. Germany has fallen behind Spain in the battle for a fifth Champions League place based on UEFA co-efficients, leaving Leipzig fretting that they will miss Europe's top competition next term unless they improve in the last eight games of the season.
Stuttgart, level on points with third-placed Hoffenheim domestically, lost 2-1 at home to Porto in midweek and must overhaul the Portuguese on Thursday to reach the Europa League quarter-finals. Lee shines for Mainz Mainz moved away from the drop zone after goals from Paul Nebel and Lee Jae Sung clinched a 2-0 win at strugglers Werder Bremen. Mainz nudged up to 13th, three points above the relegation play-off spot.
Bremen are two points behind their conquerors. Midfielder Nebel met Phillipp Mwene's cross with a diving header to send the ball just underneath the bar in the sixth minute. The scorer then paid tribute to team mate Silas by holding up his jersey after the forward broke his leg in the 0-0 Conference League draw at Sigma Olomouc in midweek.