Stuttgart, Sep 21 (IANS) German side Stuttgart managed a 2-2 draw against Steaua Bucharest at Europa League with a late equaliser by Georg Niedermeier at the soldout Mercedes Benz Arena here.
Stuttgart caught the visitors on the hop when Vedad Ibisevic headed home from goal area following a well-placed cross by Tamas Hajnal five minutes into the match on Thursday, reports Xinhua.
It was a short-lived joy for Stuttgart as Steaua Bucharest promptly answered with the equaliser by Alexandru Chipciu who finished a diagonal pass into open goal from penalty area.
Stuttgart seemed dazed by Bucharest's equaliser, nonetheless, the hosts were able to create chances through Tunay Torun, Georg Niedermeier, Christian Genter and Cacau against the visitors, who lurked for counters.
The fast breaks by Steaua presented a problem for the home team as they staged an instable defence.
In the second-half both sides exchanged attacks as Stuttgart's Cacau rattled the post twice and Steauas Raul Rusescu wasted three scoring chances.
With 79 minutes into the match, Stuttgart's Maza committed a foul play inside the box to provoke a penalty, which was converted into bottom left by Raul Rusescu.
In the final stages of the match, Stuttgart pressed Steaua Bucharest into defence to force the leveller. Stuttgart's efforts were rewarded as Georg Niedermeier nodded home a chip into penalty area to level the score.
"We failed to utilise our many scoring chances. Steaua is a good team but we wanted to win. Nevertheless, the team showed morale," Stuttgart director of sport Fredi Bobic said.
FC Copenhagen leads Group E with three points followed by Stuttgart and Bucharest with one point and Molde FK without any.