The VfB coach opted for a more attacking approach against the ‘Wolves’ – playing Timo Gebhart instead of Antonio Rüdiger in the right full-back position. Arthur Boka switched out to the left, replacing the suspended Cristian Molinaro, for whom Cacau got the nod in the starting eleven – a move which saw VfB play with two out-and-out strikers. The more attacking approach had a clear effect early on, with the visitors controlling the game in the first half albeit without turning their chances into goals.

Stuttgart had the first chance of the game when, in the 13th minute, when Cacau sent Martin Harnik on his way. The Austrian international played a pass square for Christian Gentner, who had unfortunately advanced too far and was unable to take the chance. VfB remained in the driving seat and soon after, Tamas Hajnal curled in a free-kick from 25 meters out, which Benaglio did well to turn around the post. With the break approaching, Arthur Boka played a pass through to Martin Harnik, who attempted to lob the advancing Wolfsburg keeper but the Austrian’s effort landed the wrong side of the posts and as a result, the scores stood at 0-0 at half-time.

Efforts from distance not the answer

In the second period, the standard of play dropped noticeably. Both sides made significant errors in their attempts to attack and chances on goal were few and far between as a result. With a quarter hour left to play, the hosts then took a 1-0 lead. Marcel Schäfer over-lapped Gebhart in his own penalty area and squared across the face of the goal to Sebastian Polter, who slotted in at the back post. VfB’s only real chance to draw level fell to substitute Ibrahima Traoré, whose effort from fifteen meters out was deflected wide by Madlung. In the end, VfL managed to hang onto their narrow advantage and damned VfB to an unfortunate 0-1 defeat in Wolfsburg.