Vedad Ibisevic scores.
Spoils shared in group opener
In VfB’s Europa League group opener against Steaua Bucharest, the early and closing phases of the game were action packed, in an evenly matched clash which was to finish in a 2-2 (1-1) draw.
Injuries were to force trainer Bruno Labbadia into making changes to his starting eleven compared to the side which began against Fortuna Düsseldorf at the weekend. Arthur Boka replaced Cristian Molinaro on the left side of the back four, with Gotoku Sakai filling in for Tim Hoogland on the right. Up front, the VfB coach could again call upon the services of Vedad Ibisevic, who is currently serving a Bundesliga suspension.
Early goals
Within five minutes of the kick-off, Labbadia was out of his seat again to celebrate his side’s opener. Georg Niedermeier picked out Tamas Hajnal with a long diagonal pass, which the Hungarian international controlled and delivered into the penalty area, where Ibisevic was perfectly placed to head his side into the lead – 1-0.
The celebrating VfB fans had barely taken their places again though when the visitors hit back with an equaliser. Almost directly from the re-start, Alexandru Chipciu found himself with only Sven Ulreich to beat and slotted home to make it 1-1 (6’).
Aerial action
First Christian Gentner (23’) and then Cacau (25’) tried their luck from distance but neither could accurately find the target. Then, on the half hour mark, the visitors had their next opportunity, with Lukasz Szukala heading just wide of Ulreich’s goal from a corner.
At the other end, just three minutes later, Ibisevic launched himself at a delivery from Gotoku Sakai but was unable to hit the mark with his flying header. A further five minutes on, VfB had their next aerial opportunity, with Maza rising highest to meet a corner delivery, but the Mexican was unable to make sufficient contact. With the score locked at 1-1, the teams went into the half time break.
VfB head-coach Bruno Labbadia: “We put in a performance tonight with many good elements but also a lot of bad ones. Post match comments
It took six minutes for the second half to get going, with Tunay Torun first having a go from a tight angle (51’) and then Cacau getting in a header but frustratingly only able to find the crossbar (53’).
Late goals
As the game entered the closing phase, things heated up once again. With ten minutes to go, the referee spotted a foul by Maza in the penalty area and awarded a penalty against the hosts, which Raul Rusescu converted to give the Romanians a 2-1 advantage (80’). VfB quickly reacted to the set-back though and hit back. In the 85th minute, Cacau put in a cross which Georg Niedermeier flicked home to pull his side back level.
VfB were the more active side in the remaining minutes, battling for every ball and almost managing to sneak a late winner. Unfortunately neither Vedad Ibisevic nor Martin Harnik could find a way past the Steaua keeper and the game ended with the spoils being shared in a 2-2 draw.
