| Bundesliga | DFB Cup | Champions League | Internationals |
| Match days | Match reports | Table | Statistics | Top scorer |
Friday, 12.03.2010, 20:30 Uhr
| Result |
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2 : 1 (0 : 0) |
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Referee
Attendance
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Lutz Wagner |
61673 |
| Lineups | |
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1 Manuel Neuer 2 Heiko Westermann 4 Benedikt Höwedes 5 Marcelo Bordon 10 Ivan Rakitic 12 Peer Kluge 17 Jefferson Farfán 18 Rafinha 21 Lukas Schmitz 22 Kevin Kuranyi 32 Joel Matip |
1 Jens Lehmann 5 Serdar Tasci 6 Georg Niedermeier 13 Timo Gebhart 18 Cacau 21 Cristian Molinaro 23 Aliaksandr Hleb 28 Sami Khedira 29 Pavel Pogrebnyak 32 Zdravko Kuzmanovic 35 Christian Träsch |
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| Coach | |
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Felix Magath
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Christian Gross
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In the first game of the 26th match day in the current season, VfB fell behind shortly after the break but responded quickly with a Serdar Tasci equaliser. Unfortunately an unsuccessful off-side trap allowed the 'Knappen' in again to seal a 2-1 win and take over top-spot in the Bundesliga, for the night at the very least.
Christian Gross was forced to make two changes to his defence with illness putting Stefano Celozzi out and suspension rendering captain Matthieu Delpierre unavailable. Georg Niedermeir filled in for the Frenchman at the centre of defence whilst Zdravko Kuzmanovic joined Sami Khedira in defensive midfield.
VfB control the first half
It was an intensive game right from the outset, during which VfB had the better of the first 45 minutes, although chances on goal were few and far between on a dry but uneven surface. Despite half chances for VfB, through Cristiano Molinaro, and Schalke, through Kevin Kuranyi, there were to be no early goals. With half-time approaching, Kuzmanovic attempted a lob over Manuel Neuer, but the FC keeper was off his line quickly to avert the danger. Shortly afterward, Jens Lehmann was forced to make a save from a Kevin Kuranyi header and the two sides subsequently went into the break locked at 0-0.
Three goals in fifteen minutes
The second period began furiously, although somewhat unfortunately for VfB! Peer Kluge swung in a cross which found substitute Alexander Johann, who headed goal-wards. Serdar Tasci's attempted clearance fell to Edu and the new man shot directly, beating Lehmann to make it 1-0.
VfB found a lightening quick answer though. A Kuzmanovic free-kick found Tasci, who nodded home at the back post to put VfB back on level terms - 1-1 (50'). Just five minutes later though, the hosts were back in front. A ball into the VfB box found Heiko Westerwelle, and the German international kept his cool to square for Kevin Kuranyi to make it 2-1.
VfB pushed in search of another equaliser but found no joy with the Schalke defence and keeper Neuer in good form. The home side had opportunities to increase their lead with pacy counter attacks but had no joy either.
In the end, VfB Stuttgart lost their first away match under trainer Christian Gross, in a game that saw a determined VfB side punished for their defensive errors.
