Stuttgart’s 1-0 win over RB Leipzig tightens the race for Champions League spots, with Deniz Undav’s goal proving decisive in a tense encounter.

DENIZ Undav’s opportunistic strike secured a vital 1-0 victory for VfB Stuttgart over RB Leipzig on Sunday. The win sends Stuttgart three points clear of their rivals in the intense battle for a top-four Bundesliga finish.

Undav capitalised on a goalkeeping error to score his 16th league goal of the season. The result lifts Stuttgart to 50 points, level with third-placed Hoffenheim.

“Today, we just tried to win our duels,” Undav told broadcaster DAZN. He added that taking an early lead allowed his team to play with greater confidence.

The match’s decisive moment arrived in the 56th minute. Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt played a poor pass directly to Stuttgart’s Chris Fuehrich, who squared for Undav to slide home.

Leipzig’s best chance to equalise came deep in stoppage time. Captain Willi Orban saw his powerful header cannon back off the inside of the post, allowing Stuttgart to cling to a crucial three points.

The victory strengthens Stuttgart’s grip on fourth place. Bayer Leverkusen, held by Bayern Munich on Saturday, sit five points behind Stuttgart in the congested race for next season’s Champions League.

When asked about a potential recall to the German national team, the in-form Undav remained coy. “Maybe he’s contacted me, maybe he hasn’t,” he said of coach Julian Nagelsmann, with the squad for March friendlies to be named on Thursday.

In other Sunday action, Union Berlin left it late to secure a 1-0 away win at Freiburg. Jeong Woo-yeong’s stunning stoppage-time strike and a spectacular debut save from goalkeeper Matheo Raab sealed the victory.

The result moves Union Berlin seven points clear of the relegation playoff place. Mainz also boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 win at Werder Bremen, overtaking their hosts in the table.

 The Sun Malaysia