0-1, min 44. Gendrey. 1-1, min. 90+10, Demirovic.
After a start to the season in which they have failed to build a consistent run of form thus far, Stuttgart took on Hoffenheim at the MHP Arena in their second Baden-Swabia derby of the campaign.
And much like their 3-1 defeat against SC Freiburg on match week one of the Bundesliga campaign, Sebastian Hoeneß and his side failed to pick up all three points.
Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo showed up to his old employer, and his side delivered a resolute defensive performance, restricting the hosts to nothing but half-chances until summer signing Ermedin Demirovic rescued a point for Stuttgart in the dying seconds of the encounter.
Sunday's result leaves Stuttgart in eighth place in the Bundesliga with nine points from six matches, whilst Hoffenheim remain in sixteenth place with just four points after picking up their first point since winning on opening weekend against Holstein Kiel.
Stuttgart need to turn draws into wins
Last campaign's Vizemeister (runners-up) have struggled to build a consistent run of form thus far into the current campaign.
Wins against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, 3-1 and 5-1, respectively, have been the only two wins that Sebastian Hoeneß and his side have collected in the Bundesliga after six matches.
However, VfB have only lost once, on opening weekend against Freiburg. Draws against Mainz, Wolfsburg, and now Hoffenheim mean that Stuttgart require a rethink over the international break to build up the form needed to sustain yet another challenge in and around the European positions.
The signs are there that this side contains more than enough quality at both ends of the pitch. However, it can often be the case that memorable wins, such as the 5-1 demolition against Borussia Dortmund, become null and void should silly points be dropped on too many occasions.
Demirovic must start
With five goals across his first six Bundesliga outings as a Stuttgart player, it comes as quite a surprise to find out that Ermedin Demirovic is not one of the first names on the team sheet of Sebastian Hoeneß.
Despite his late penalty being saved by Oliver Baumann, the Bosnian international netted for the hosts in the dying seconds to rescue a point for Die Schwaben, making no mistake in tapping home from point-blank range after Baumann's save sent the ball back towards the forward.
After losing multiple key men in the summer, the team selection side of Hoeneß's job is far from clear-cut, as it may have been last campaign.
Tinkering between different systems, the coach is yet to fully settle on a functional system. However, it can be seen that the partnership between Demirovic and Deniz Undav is only going to get stronger.
His impact yesterday that superseded Al-Bilal Toure's attacking no-show will leave the important question in his mind as to whether Demirovic is the man to partner Undav.
Hoffenheim can be resolute
In a season marred by protests off the pitch and poor performances on it, Hoffenheim had conceded 15 goals in the Bundesliga before their match week six clash with Stuttgart.
However, on their travels against their local rivals, the side put in their best defensive performance of the campaign by a huge margin.
In particular, the defensive spine of Matarazzo's side put in a stellar performance.
Anton Stach, at the heart of the back three, made nine clearances and four interceptions, as well as being dribbled past just once, offering a battle-hard line of defence in front of Oliver Baumann, who himself made five saves to keep out their neighbours.
Sunday's resolute performance has to operate as a springboard for Hoffenheim as they look for their first win since match week one.
Matarazzo needs time
Ex-Stuttgart manager Pellegrino Matarazzo took over at the club in February this year, having previously spent time at the club as assistant to Julian Nagelsmann.
The American coach guided the club towards a European finish at the back end of last campaign, however, alongside issues off the pitch, Hoffenheim have dismally started this season.
However, yesterday's performance could be enough to prove that there is something to build upon in Sinsheim.
With a home fixture against winless VfL Bochum after the international break, the fixture list is kind towards Hoffenheim in regards to building form, both in and out of European competition, matching the undoubted quality within Hoffenheim's ranks.
