VfB Stuttgart
| 2-0 | Gentner | (34. Min) |
Borussia M'gladbach
| 1-0 | Dominguez [OG] | (28. Min) |
Stats 
Christian Gentner scores against Mönchengladbach.
Spring, sunshine, success!
Tight at the back, active up front! VfB’s line of approach on Sunday worked exactly as planned and the home side secured a well deserved 2-0 home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Alvaro Dominguez (o.g.) and Christian Gentner were the goal-scorers on the day for VfB.
Georg Niedermeier and Martin Harnik, both of whom had been suspended for the game in Hannover, were available to Bruno Labbadia once again and both were in the starting eleven to replace Serdat Tasci (injured) and Shinji Okazaki.
In beautiful, spring conditions, VfB took control early on and had the first chance of the game through Alexandru Maxim. Arthur Boka sent Ibrahima Traoré on his way down the left and the Guinean international squared to the young Romanian, who was unable to make a clean contact (6’).
VfB take the lead
Just five minutes later, Martin Harnik went agonizingly close, powerfully meeting a Cristian Molinaro delivery with a header and forcing and excellent reflex stop from Borussia keeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
VfB completely dominated the opening quarter hour in front of a crowd of 50,000 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena and were eventually rewarded for their efforts with an own-goal in the 28th minute. Alexandru Maxim fired in a free-kick from the left, which was deflected home by Alvaro Dominguez.
Christian Gentner makes it 2-0
Five minutes in and the VfB fans were on their feet and celebrating again. Christian Gentner bounced to capitalize on an error in the Gladbach defence and lob the ball expertly over the out-rushing keeper to make it 2-0 at half time.
Diashow
Spark on the pitch transfers to the stands
The first shot on goal in the second period was released by the visitors, but Sven Ulreich was equal to Luuk de Jong’s effort (48’) and soon after, VfB were in charge again. Vedad Ibisevic firstly nodded on a free-kick delivery from Maxim, which went narrowly wide of the Borussia goal (55’), before Arthur Boka fired just over the crossbar mere second later.
VfB’s midfield motor Arthur Boka: "We all worked very well together and are absolutely delighted about the win." Post match comments
Mexican-Wave ripples through the Mercedes-Benz Arena
In the 72nd minute, Shinji Okazaki came on in place of Martin Harnik and just four minutes after his introduction, the Japanese international was set through by Vedad Ibisevic, but the striker’s lob unfortunately landed on the roof of the net.
With a Mexican-Wave rippling its way around the Mercedes-Benz Arena and the afternoon all but perfect, the fans began to prepare for the next major game this coming Wednesday. For the closing phase of the game, William Kvist replaced Arthur Boka.
There was little of major incident in the remaining minutes of the match and VfB played out a totally deserved 2-0 win. A compact performance, strong, determined tackling, impressive inter-active play and the stunning support of the fans were eventually to lead to VfB’s first home win of this year.
