The Albany Gazette - Stuttgart stumble against Bremen in top-four race

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 victory over Freiburg were clear early as Stage and Senne Lynen glided through the hosts' sluggish defence.

Dane Stage put Bremen in front after 18 minutes, hitting a low first-time shot into the bottom corner after a clever one-two with Yukinari Sugawara.

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.

Later on Sunday, Borussia Dortmund host Europa League semi-finalists Freiburg.

(D.Sanchez--TAG)