Stuttgart Stun Bundesliga Leaders Leverkusen in Seven-Goal Thriller
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A dominant Stuttgart defeated league champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-3 in a Bundesliga classic on Saturday. The victory sends a strong message to the German national team coach.
Stuttgart took an early lead and never looked back at Leverkusen's BayArena. The visitors' performance was especially timely. Germany's national team sporting director, Rudi Völler, was in the crowd.
Völler saw several German players excel. Stuttgart's starting lineup included seven current internationals. Their display will boost hopes for selection in the upcoming World Cup squad.
The match was a thrilling encounter between two top sides. Stuttgart have historically matched Leverkusen, even during the champions' best seasons. Völler later confirmed this, noting Stuttgart's past success against them.
The result shakes up the Bundesliga's established order early in the season.