by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, May 10 (Xinhua) -- VfB Stuttgart's strike partnership of Ermedin Demirovic and Deniz Undav is driving the club toward another successful season after Saturday's 3-1 Bundesliga win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international and the Germany forward have now combined for 31 league goals this season, helping Stuttgart strengthen its bid for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Stuttgart's 69 league goals are the second-highest total in the Bundesliga behind champion Bayern Munich's 117.

Saturday's victory lifted Sebastian Hoeness' side back into the top four ahead of the Bundesliga's final round of matches, while Stuttgart will also face Bayern in the German Cup final in Berlin on May 23 as it seeks to retain the trophy.

"We proved we desperately want this Champions League qualification," Undav said after scoring his 19th league goal of the season.

"It's on us to finish the job in the last game next weekend in Frankfurt."

Demirovic scored his 12th league goal against Leverkusen, continuing a strong campaign for the 28-year-old, who also helped Bosnia qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Undav, meanwhile, appears likely to be included in Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

A crowd of 60,000 at Stuttgart's MHP Arena watched Demirovic equalize early before Maximilian Mittelstadt converted a penalty earned by the striker, and Undav added the third goal in the second half.

After scoring, Undav celebrated with teammates Demirovic and Angelo Stiller saluting him in a pre-planned routine.

"They call me the commander, so we planned this celebration," Undav said.

Hoeness praised Demirovic's display against Leverkusen, describing the forward's work rate and intensity as crucial to Stuttgart's performance.

Although Stuttgart will enter the Cup final as underdogs against Bayern, the convincing win over Leverkusen has increased belief that the club can challenge for another major trophy.

The strikers, however, insisted the team remains focused on the immediate task ahead.

"First, it's Frankfurt," they said. "Then we know anything can happen in the Cup final." ■