VfB Stuttgart Atletico Madrid draw decided by three moments

Jamie Leweling put VfB Stuttgart in front in the 36th minute. Julián Alvarez levelled for Atletico Madrid in the 47th, and Morten Hjulmand was sent off in the 64th for a serious foul. The 1-1 finish at the VfB Stuttgart vs Atletico Madrid was shaped by those three moments more than by any long tactical pattern.

Leweling and Álvarez set the tone

Leweling was Stuttgart's standout performer. His 7.79 rating was the best on the pitch, and his goal gave Sebastian Hoeneß's side the lead they had been looking for before half-time.

Álvarez answered immediately after the break and ended with the highest rating in the match at 8.06. His equaliser took the edge off Stuttgart's advantage, even before Hjulmand's dismissal turned the game into a more difficult ask for the home side.

There was still a real contest in the first half. Matthias Sammer's reaction summed that up after the break, when he told SPORT1: "That is fun,".

Stuttgart's position after the draw

The point leaves VfB Stuttgart unbeaten in the Champions League and on seven points, with the league phase still looking healthy after three games. The standing block also has them fourth, which fits the sense that this was a missed statement opportunity rather than a setback.

Atletico Madrid got the response they needed from Álvarez, but the draw does not give them much room to relax. Jan Oblak was part of the night too, although the decisive headlines belonged to the scorer, the equaliser and the red card.

Sebastian Hoeneß had framed the occasion as more than a participation exercise before kick-off, telling SPORT1 in comments translated from German: "It is a big game, the best of the best, but also a big opportunity for us. We do not just want to take part a little."

Stuttgart take the point into their next league-phase match with seven points already banked, and the draw against Atletico keeps them unbeaten in Europe after 20 October.