BERLIN: VfB Stuttgart were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Werder Bremen on Sunday, denting their hopes of a return to the Champions League.

Stuttgart’s top-four rivals RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen all won this weekend to up the pressure on the German Cup holders.

Bremen’s Jens Stage continued his rich run of form, putting the visitors ahead early before Ermedin Demirovic levelled four minutes after coming on in the second half.

Stuttgart sit in fourth place with three ga­mes remaining. They are level on points with Hoffenheim but ahead on goal difference, while Leverkusen are lurking two points behind.

Stuttgart still have to play Hoffenheim and Leverkusen, as well as Frankfurt.

Bremen’s first point this season against a side currently in the top five left them six points clear of St Pauli, who are in the relegation play-off spot.

Stuttgart’s exertions in Thursday’s extra-time German Cup semi-final win over Frei­b­urg were clear early as Stage and Senne Lynen glided through the hosts’ sluggish defence.

The goal was Stage’s 10th this season and his third in two games. Bremen were the better side in the opening half but the hosts wrestled back control of the game after half-time.

Substitute Demirovic headed in a floating Bilal El Khannouss cross to cancel out Bremen’s advantage just after the hour mark.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026