Undav denied as Stuttgart fails to break top four
Stuttgart missed the chance to break into the Bundesliga’s top four as it was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Hoffenheim at MHPArena.
Despite creating the better opportunities, Sebastian Hoeness' side, which saw a Deniz Undav goal ruled out late on, was unable to find a decisive breakthrough, leaving it sixth on the table heading into the winter break, one point behind fourth-placed Hoffenheim.
The hosts nearly took the lead as both Nikolas Nartey and Tiago Tomas had attempts blocked, the latter denied by a sharp reflex save from Oliver Baumann.
Stuttgart’s profligacy in the final third continued when Jeff Chabot headed narrowly wide of the right-hand post off Angelo Stiller’s set-piece on the stroke of half-time.
Hoffenheim put up a spirited defensive performance after the break as Stuttgart failed to make the most of its chances.
Atakan Karazor headed wide in the 70th minute before Undav failed to direct Jamie Leweling’s centre on target three minutes later.
Undav thought he had snatched a dramatic winner deep in stoppage-time, rising highest to nod home from Chris Fuhrich’s delivery, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
