VfB Stuttgart
| 1-0 | Ibisevic | (71. Min) |
| 2-0 | Ibisevic | (90.+1. Min) |
Dinamo Moskau
Luke Wilkshire
Stats Europe moves a step closer
VfB Stuttgart dominated the first leg oft he Europa League Play-Off against Dynamo Moscow, eventually winning 2-0 (0-0) thanks to a Vedad Ibisevic brace.
Vedad Ibisevic scores twice.
VfB Stuttgart completely dominated both the first as well as the second half of their Europa League first leg Play-Off against Dynamo Moscow, but didn’t manage to break the deadlock until after the break. Vedad Ibisevic finally ended the VfB fans wait with a well taken brace.
In comparison to the eleven that began in the DFB-Cup, for the game against Dynamo, VfB coach Bruno Labbadia began with Maza for Georg Niedermeier at the heart of the defence and Shinji Okazaki replaced Ibrahima Traoré in midfield. Otherwise, the home side began with the same group that beat SV Falkensee-Finkenkrug 5-0.
Right from the whistle, the home side took charge of the tie, controlled the play – which was concentrated almost without exception in the opposition half – leaving the guests looking anxious. Throughout the first half though, and in spite of having the bulk of the possession, Bruno Labbadia’s men failed to create any genuine openings and the sides went in locked a 0-0 at half-time.
No changes at the break.
Both sides began the second period without making changes and again VfB took control after the re-start. In the 54th minute, VfB hit quickly on the break, with William Kvist playing wide to Tim Hoogland, who crossed to the centre for Shinji Okazaki but the Japanese international was unable to get over the ball and headed well over the Moscow goal.
It took until the 71st minute but then the VfB fan’s wait was finally over. Tim Hoogland let fly from 30 meters out with a low drive which Russian keeper Anton Shunin got a hand to but could only parry and Vedad Ibisevic reacted quickest to turn the ball home to give the VfB fans something to shout about.
Ibisevic makes it 2-0
In the 75th minute, Kevin Kuranyi was forced out of the game with calf cramps having rarely shown much prospect on the night. The former VfB striker had a tough time of it though, with his side concentrated almost exclusively on defending. Shortly before the 80-minute mark, VfB made their final substitution, with Cacau replacing Tamas Hajnal.
The front man showed immediate signs of promise, curling a shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide of the post (79’). Five minutes later, Vedad Ibesevic got his head to a delivery but was unable to keep his effort on target.
VfB head-coach Bruno Labbadia: “I am very satisfied with the result. We had set out with the intention of keeping a clean sheet.” Post match comments
Both William Kvist with a volley (89’) and Cacau (90’) had further chances to increase the VfB advantage but it wasn’t until stoppage time that Ibisevic managed to snag a second for Labbadia’s men. Substitute Traoré foiled his marker on the right a put in a cross, which took a slight deflection, and found Ibisevic at the back post to make the final score 2-0.
It was a deserved win for VfB Stuttgart who now travels to Moscow for next Tuesday’s return leg (6pm kick-off) firmly in the driving seat.