VfB Stuttgart
| 1-0 | Gentner | (21. Min) |
| 2-0 | Ibisevic | (37. Min) |
Hannover 96
| 2-1 | Sobiech | (57. Min) |
| 2-2 | Schlaudraff | (65. Min) |
| 2-3 | Abdellaoue | (68. Min) |
| 2-4 | Abdellaoue | (73. Min) |
Szabolcs Huszti
Stats 
Christian Gentner in action.
Bitter Sunday evening
The eleventh game of the season began well for VfB Stuttgart but ended in bitter disappointment. Despite taking a 2-0 lead into the break, Bruno Labbadia’s men suffered a 2-4 defeat at the hands of Hannover 96.
The VfB head-coach was forced to alter things in the centre of midfield, with Zdravko Kuzmanovic being brought in to replace William Kvist, who was forced to pull out due to a viral infection. Compared to the side that began in the Europa League, both Raphael Holzhauser and Arthur Boka were also back in the starting eleven.
Gotoku Sakai stops Mame Diouf
It was the visitors who had the first chance on goal in front of a crowd of 50,600 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Following some good combination play, Mame Diouf took possession and was set to let fly when Gotoku Sakai got a boot to block the ball, making it easy for Sven Ulreich to gather (7’). Minutes later at the other end, keeper Ron-Robert Zieler was quick to get off his line to prevent the on-rushing Vedad Ibisevic from causing any damage.
VfB goalkeeper Sven Ulreich: “The defeat is bitterly disappointing." Post match comments
Zieler with plenty of action
VfB then began to take control, initially with Vedad Ibisevic trying his luck from the edge of the box but the effort landed on top of the goal (19’). Just two minutes later though, the VfB fans were celebrating. Taking on a delivery from Raphael Holzhauser with his chest, Christian Gentner cleverly slotted his shot past the H96 keeper to make it 1-0 (21’).
In the 37th minute, Bruno Labbadia’s men then doubled their advantage. Szabolcs Huszti brought down Gentner in the penalty area and Vedad Ibisevic stepped up to drive the resulting spot-kick home and give VfB a 2-0 lead going into the half-time break.
