VfB Stuttgart
SL Benfica Lissabon
| 0-1 | (31. Min) | |
| 0-2 | (78. Min) |
Sidnei
Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Stats 
Defeat and elimination
In the second leg of their UEFA Europa League tie against Benfica Lisbon, VfB were chasing a 1-2 deficit from the first meeting of the two. On the night, the hosts had problems dealing with Portugal’s currently second placed side and in the end bowed out of the competition with a 0-2 home defeat.
Trainer Bruno Labbadia made three changes to his starting eleven from last weekend with Marc Ziegler, Georg Niedermeier and Sven Schipplock coming in to replace Sven Ulreich, Serdar Tasci and Cacau respectively.
Following a cautious beginning from both sides, Benfica were the first to show signs of life. In the seventh minute, Nicolas Gaitan tried his luck with a deft chip, which Marc Ziegler did excellently to tip over the crossbar. Seven minutes later, the hosts had their first sight of goal but Shinji Okazaki’s effort was dealt with by Roberto in the Benfica goal. Soon after, it was Ziegler’s turn to prove his worth again, as he made an impressive strop from Fabio Coentrao with his foot. On the half hour, Christian Träsch played a pass through for Martin Harnik to get a shot away, but again Roberto was equal to the effort. But almost immediately, at the other end, the deadlock was broken.
From a Benfica corner, the ball was initially headed clear, but only as far as Eduardo Silvio, who volleyed powerfully back goal-ward and found the bottom left corner with his drive from 18 meters out. VfB went in search of a way to break down the visitors defence but, the Portuguese side held on to their 1-0 lead going into the break.
Diashow
Ziegler stretchered off – Ulreich returns
Benfica controlled the early phase of the second period, with Franco Jara testing Marc Ziegler. Soon after the VfB keeper was to find himself in the centre of the action again – but painfully so! In the 49th minute, the keeper parried a shot from Nicolas Gaitan but, in smothering the loose ball, the VfB goalkeeper was unintentionally struck in the head by the knee of the Portuguese striker. After a break for treatment, it was clear that Ziegler would not be in a position to continue and was taken to hospital for further examinations. Sven Ulreich came back into the team to replace his injured colleague.
The new man between the VfB posts was called into action then in the 71st minute, to make a spectacular save from Franco Jara. At the other end, Shinji Okazaki had two chances in quick succession, but despite coming close, it was beginning to look as if it wouldn’t be VfB’s night. That feeling was confirmed in the 78th minute, when Oscar Cardozo fired in a free-kick from 25 meters out, which hit the inside of the post and from there crossed the line – 2-0 for Benfica, and VfB’s dream was shattered.
VfB captain Matthieu Delpierre: "Benfica were the better team today and made more effective use of their chances."
Post match comments
To add to the home side’s woes, a hefty foul by Zdravko Kuzmanovic was penalized with a red card. The defeat sees Bruno Labbadia’s men bow out of the Europa League and opens the way for them to now concentrate exclusively on survival in Germany’s top flight.