The home side started strongly at the Robert Schlienz Stadium, pressing Ajax high up the pitch, which led to an early advantage for the Germans. Angelo Stiller opened the scoring after just over ten minutes: 1-0. Roughly five minutes later, Christian Führich doubled the lead, finishing into the near corner to make it 2-0.
Only after Stuttgart’s second goal did Ajax begin to find their footing. Bertrand Traoré created a chance on the counterattack that could have brought the visitors back into the game.
Ajax’s breakthrough finally came in the second half. A whipped-in free kick from substitute Branco van den Boomen found its way to the far post. While Daniele Rugani seemed poised to finish, the goal was ultimately credited as an own goal by Julian Chabot. After the 2-1, Davy Klaassen received a red card for a late tackle, but after consultation between the two managers, the midfielder was allowed to stay on the pitch.
Late in the second half, Akpom levelled the score at 2-2 with a well-taken strike. After a lacklustre first half and a much-improved second half, the draw was a fair result. Both sides played an additional fifteen minutes after the regulation ninety, but neither managed to find a winner.
VfB Stuttgart - Ajax 2-2 (2-0)
13. Stiller 1-0
19. Führich 2-0
52. Chabot (o.g.) 2-1
85. Akpom 2-2
Red card: 56. Klaassen (Ajax)
Ajax: Pasveer (46. Ramaj); Rensch (46. Gaaei), Rugani (60. Mannsverk), Baas (46. Kaplan/91. Janse), Hato (46. Wijndal/99. Mokio); Henderson (46. Van den Boomen), Taylor (46. Fitz-Jim), Berghuis (46. Klaassen/91. Hlynsson), Traoré (46. Rasmussen/91. Faberski), Brobbey (46. Weghorst), Godts (46. Akpom)