Bayer 04 Leverkusen
| 1-1 | Kießling | (82. Min) |
| 2-1 | Bender | (86. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 0-1 | Ibisevic | (12. Min) |
Philipp Wollscheid
Stats 
Vedad Ibisevic scores against Leverkusen.
Late brace sinks VfB
What a shame! VfB were in front for the bulk of the game in Leverkusen on Saturday evening but eventually were left empty handed after a couple of late goals from the home side which made the final score 1-2. Vedad Ibisevic had fired the visitors into the lead from the penalty spot but VfB were unable to find a second and, in spite of a strong defensive display, the hosts hit back with two late goals to take all three points.
Due to the injury to Georg Niedermeier, VfB coach Bruno Labbadia was forced to alter his defensive in comparison to the cup tie against Bochum in midweek, with Antonio Rüdiger slotting in to fill the gap. In addition, on this occasion Raphael Holzhauser was given the nod ahead of Shinji Okazaki from the start.
Vedad Ibisevic on target from the spot
He first long ball forward by Ibrahima Traoré to Vedad Ibisevic caused immediate problems in the Bayer defence and Philipp Wollscheid could only stop the striker with a foul. With the foul deemed to have been committed on the line of the penalty area, Vedad Ibisevic was duly awarded the spot-kick and the front man took the responsibility himself, slamming VfB into the lead (12’). Five minutes later, Stefan Kießling had Bayer’s first attempt on goal, but the headed effort from a corner never really threatened Sven Ulreich.
As the half wore on, VfB defended ever more deeply, allowing Leverkusen too much space to operate in. The result though was to prove no more that the bulk of the possession for the hosts, without them ever really looking like scoring and Bruno Labbadia’s men went on to take their 1-0 lead into the break.
For the second period, Cristian Molinaro was introduced to replace Arthur Boka, who in spite of suffering from flu played an important role in VfB’s defensive presence throughout the first period. The first chance of the half fell to Stefan Kießling, but Sven Ulreich was able to stop the striker in his tracks (48’).
Two minutes later, Ibisevic opened the play with a ball out wide to Gotoku Sakai on the right. The Japanese international played a long ball to Christian Gentner, who attempted to find Ibisevic in the centre with a low pass but Bernd Leno reacted quickly to smother the ball before it reached the striker.
VfB Director of Sport Fredi Bobic: "The team defended exceptionally well and Leverkusen didn’t have many ideas." Post match comments
No prisoners at the back
The next attacking incident again took place at the Leverkusen end. Ibrahima Traoré laid a pass back to Gentner, who let fly from 20 meters out but again, Leno was on hand to deny VfB a second goal (56’). VfB were doing more for their attack and getting shots in on goal whilst at the same time, keeping the hosts at bay.
Late Leverkusen brace sinks VfB
With VfB defending stoutly and solidly, the bulk of the 27,058 fans in the arena had surely begun to believe that the home side would never find a way through on the day. Bayer never truly looked like breaching the Stuttgart back line, but were then thrown a lifeline by a hand-ball in the box. Stefan Kießling stepped up and chipped home the penalty to make it 1-1 (82’).
Having finally broken through, the hosts went in search of a winner and in the 86th minute, Sven Ulreich made an exceptional reflex save from Stefan Kießling, but unfortunately for VfB, the keepers clearance only reached Lars Bender, who headed into an empty goal to turn the tie completely.
Labbadia’s men managed one final counter attack but it was to prove unfruitful and they were left stunned by a 1-2 defeat, when so much more seemed most likely after the effectiveness of their first half performance and the impressive overall defensive display. Unfortunately for VfB through, they didn’t manage to find a second goal from the chances created.
