BERLIN: Stuttgart overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Union Berlin 3-2 at home on Friday, with beanpole striker Nick Woltemade scoring a second-half brace.
Union, who had only conceded 10 goals in 12 league games coming into Friday's match, were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to a strong header from Danilho Doekhi, which slipped through the hands of Stuttgart goalkeeper Alex Nuebel.
The visitors doubled their lead three minutes into the second half through Robert Skov, who lofted a tempting cross in from the right which evaded the Stuttgart defence and a leaping Union captain Rani Khedira.
On the ropes, Stuttgart rebounded, the 1.98-metre-tall Woltemade – subbed on at half-time – scoring two goals in eight minutes to have the hosts level.
Woltemade collected an Ermedin Demirovic pass for the first and latched onto a direct Atakan Karazor assist for the second, spinning and showing deft footwork before blasting home.
Shellshocked, Union goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow muffed an attempt to play out from the back under pressure, passing straight to Karazor who slid the ball home.
Surprise runners-up last season, the win means Stuttgart climbed four places to sixth spot, level on points with Borussia Dortmund.
Union now have just one point from their past five games and finish the evening in 11th.
Today, injury-hit league leaders Bayern Munich host struggling Heidenheim without forwards Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry as well as goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer.
Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen host St Pauli while second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt are at home against Augsburg. - AFP