Stuttgart rescues 3-3 draw as Bundesliga relegation scrap impacts Champions League race

BERLIN (AP) — Germany forward Deniz Undav scored late to salvage a 3-3 draw for Stuttgart at last-place Heidenheim as the Bundesliga’s relegation scrap and race for Champions League qualification converged on Sunday.

Stuttgart stayed fourth in the last qualification spot for Europe’s premier club competition, but it missed the chance to move four points above fifth-place Leipzig, held 2-2 by Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Heidenheim almost scored a late winner in stoppage time that would have narrowed the gap on second-last Werder Bremen to just three points before their clash in Bremen next weekend. Adam Kölle headed just wide in stoppage time for Heidenheim.

Chris Führich fired Stuttgart into an early lead before Eren Dinkci replied for Heidenheim.

Stuttgart’s Ermedin Demirović thought he had made it 2-1 on a counterattack but the goal was ruled out and a penalty awarded to Heidenheim after a VAR check found Maximilian Mittelstädt had fouled Dinkci in the area at the other end.

Arijon Ibrahimović converted Heidenheim’s penalty to make it 2-1 to the home team instead.

Mittelstädt atoned for conceding the spot kick by converting another penalty for 2-2 in the 44th.

Demirović had another goal ruled out through VAR for offside in the second half, and Heidenheim substitute Sirlord Conteh scored what he hoped was the winner in the 82nd after Ibrahimović’s initial effort was saved.

But Undav, also a substitute, equalized for Stuttgart in the 88th and almost got another in stoppage time when he was thwarted by Diant Ramaj in the Heidenheim goal.

St. Pauli boosted its chances of survival with a 2-1 home win over relegation rival Bremen that lifted the Hamburg-based club above the visitors into the relegation playoff spot.

Japan midfielder Joel Chima Fujita scored what proved to be the winner with a low shot inside the far corner in the 70th, minutes after Jovan Milošević had drawn the visitors level.

Bremen's third straight defeat under new coach Daniel Thioune stretched the team’s winless run to 13 games.

St. Pauli celebrated its back-to-back wins at home after surprising Stuttgart 2-1 in the 21st round.

Matthias Ginter and Igor Matanović scored as Freiburg beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 and moved to seventh.

Freiburg stretched its winning streak at home to five games across all competitions, while Gladbach’s winless run stretched to seven matches.

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Heidenheim's Julian Niehues, left, and Stuttgart's Chema Andrés in action during the Bundesliga soccer match between FC Heidenheim and VfB Stuttgart in Heidenheim, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Stuttgart's Chris Führich celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between FC Heidenheim and VfB Stuttgart in Heidenheim, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Heidenheim's Sirlord Conteh celebrates scoring during the Bundesliga soccer match between FC Heidenheim and VfB Stuttgart in Heidenheim, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Harry Langer/dpa via AP)

Freiburg's Jan-Niklas Beste, left, and Philipp Treu challenge Mönchengladbach's Hugo Bolin during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa via AP)

Mönchengladbach's Lukas Ullrich and Freiburg's Jan-Niklas Beste, front, in action during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa via AP)

Mönchengladbach's Philipp Sander, left, and Freiburg's Igor Matanovic in action during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa via AP)

Mönchengladbach's Yannik Engelhardt, left, and Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki in action during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa via AP)

Freiburg players celebrate a goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday Feb. 22, 2026. (Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa via AP)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — Jury selection began Monday in the assault trial of former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs in connection with a heated dispute he had with his private chef.

The four-time Pro Bowl wideout pleaded not guilty in February to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute with his former private chef.

Diggs declined to speak to reporters as he arrived at Norfolk County District Court in Dedham, a Boston suburb.

According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs had argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. She told officers she had trouble breathing and felt she could have blacked out.

Diggs’ attorney has said he “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and motivated by a financial dispute. Diggs did not speak to reporters outside court in February.

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with New England last year and was a key target for quarterback Drake Maye during the Patriots’ AFC East title run. Before joining the Patriots, Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and played for the Buffalo Bills before a brief stint with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs’ 1,000-yard season with the Patriots marked the seventh of his career. It helped complete a successful career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed what turned out to be a one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.

Diggs, who led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season with the Patriots, was released by the team in March. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.”

Diggs has yet to sign with another team.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs arrives at Norfolk County District Court, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)