Amanatidis inspires Stuttgart win

A goal from substitute Ioannis Amanatidis provided VfB Stuttgart with the platform for their 2-0 aggregate success at Ferencvárosi TC's expense in their UEFA Cup second round engagement.

Qualification secured
The German side finally secured their qualification for Friday's third round draw when Fernando Meira scored from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Hard-fought win
Felix Magath's side were made to work hard for their victory, but Amanatidis - who was introduced after the interval - was on hand to slide the ball into the net from four metres as he latched onto Jochen Seitz's pass in the 63rd minute. From then, Stuttgart were able to restrict the Hungarians to long-range efforts at goal, before breaking clear in the dying seconds to add their second. Ferencváros captain Péter Lipscei was sent off when he was adjudged to have prevented the ball from entering the net with his arm and Meira picked his spot low to the left of Lajos Szücs to seal the win.

'With a little luck'
Magath was delighted with the result, but offered praise for the visitors, saying: "It was a difficult game and a tough match. Ferencváros have a good team, but we attacked from the kick-off and won with a little luck, because after our lead, we lost our concentration. However, I am proud of this team and I hope we will get more supporters in the next round."

Few chances
Fradi, who had five bookings to show rather than any clear-cut scoring opportunities during the first half, seemed content to hold high-flying Stuttgart at bay and hit their opponents with a string of counterattacks. The only real opportunity the visitors mustered came in the eleventh minute, but Attila Szili's effort from eight metres - as he attempted to volley Lipscei's lobbed pass - was well past Thomas Ernst's right-hand post.

Balakov close
Stuttgart responded with two chances of their own in an otherwise low-key opening 45 minutes. First Silvio Meissner headed over at the near post in the 27th minute from Krassimir Balakov's free-kick. Three minutes later, Szücs was on hand to deny another Balakov set-piece, this time by gathering the ball under the crossbar after the Bulgarian midfield player attempted a shot on goal. The second period looked destined to continue in similar fashion until Stuttgart's Greek striker provided the difference.