Takuma Asano came on as a second-half substitute, but was unable to help influence a comeback as VfB Stuttgart were comprehensively thrashed 5-0 away from home at the hands of Dynamo Dresden.

Stuttgart started brightly in the first-half but three goals in quick succession meant they went into the interval with a significant deficit to overturn, one which was always going to be hard, especially away from home.

Asano showed his ability just minutes after being introduced, where he managed to beat two players before laying off a pass into the path of a team-mate, who was unable to take his opportunity.

Despite the scoreline, Asano was encouraging throughout the second 45.

He was tidy in possession, linked up well with team-mates but none were able to create any real chances in the final third, a common theme after Carlos Mané’s forgettable miss in the first-half.

The 21-year-old remained a handful for the Dresden backline, having won a free-kick and continued to frustrate with his direct running past their defenders when in possession.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 15: Florian Ballas (L) of Dresden battles for the ball with Takuma Asano (R) of Stuttgart during the Second Bundesliga match between SG Dynamo Dresden and VfB Stuttgart at DDV-Stadion on October 15, 2016 in Dresden, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DRESDEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 15: Florian Ballas (L) of Dresden battles for the ball with Takuma Asano (R) of Stuttgart during the Second Bundesliga match between SG Dynamo Dresden and VfB Stuttgart at DDV-Stadion on October 15, 2016 in Dresden, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images)

He came close to scoring a consolation for the visitors in the 83rd minute, after using his pace to good effect. Having lost his marker, a lofted pass was fed into his path but at a tight angle, he could only strike towards goalkeeper Marvin Schwabe.

Although the result was both embarrassing and a surprise too, Asano will be hoping that his individual display in the second-half can merit more minutes in Hannes Wolf’s side as the weeks continue.