KRC Genk
VfB Stuttgart
| 0-1 | Boka | (45. Min) |
| 0-2 | Gentner | (58. Min) |
Vedad Ibisevic
Stats 
Arthur Boka scores against Gernk.
Next step Lazio
In the return leg of the Europa League ‘Round of 32’ tie, VfB were 2-0 (1-0) winners over KRC Genk. Arthur Boka and Christian Gentner were on song with the goals for VfB to earn the club a round of 16 clash with Miroslav Klose’s S.S. Lazio.
Bruno Labbadia replaced the suspended Georg Niedermeier with Toni Rüdiger and Shinji Okazaki was once again in the starting eleven as Raphael Holzhauser took a place on the substitute’s bench.
The atmosphere in the Genker Arena was exceptional right from the kick-off, as some 2,000 VfB fans fired their team on from the start. Labbadia’s men took charge right from the start and had their first sight of goal after just eight minutes, as Serdar Tasci headed narrowly over from an Ibrahima Traoré corner.
Boka secures a half time lead
As the half progressed, Genk raised their game and the crowd of 17,000 saw an evenly matched tie, during which only VfB managed to really create in front of goal. A poor clearance from the Genk keeper presented Shinji Okazaki with an opportunity to shoot on goal but Kalidou Koulibaly was able to clear off the line (15’). Shortly afterwards, Vedad Ibisevic fired just over the crossbar.
VfB continued to lord the possession but failed to find the target. KRC Genk were also unthreatening in front of goal and the bulk of the spectators were preparing for a scoreless first 45 minutes, before Arthur Boka stepped up. The defender’s shot from 25 meters out was deflected past the Gen keeper to provide VfB with a 1-0 advantage to take into the break, as the Ivory Coast international danced to express his personal joy.
VfB goal-scorer Arthur Boka: "We are very satisfied with the win and our progression to the next round of the competition." Post match comments
Gentner makes it clear
After the re-start, Genk were forced to open up and attack, which was immediately noticeable and the Belgian’s came at Labbadia’s men. The first chance of the half fell to Martin Harnik, aided by some good work on the left by Gentner and Vedad Ibisevic, but the Austrian was unable to guide his header on goal (54’). With almost an hour on the clock, William Kvist fed Christian Gentner, who twice dummied his marker before firing into the bottom corner to double his side’s advantage.
Sven Ulreich proved his worth then with a strong save to keep his side in front and keep his sheet clean, which was to remain the case until the final whistle, as the travelling VfB fans cheered on their side to a 2-0 win.
The first game in the next round of the competition will take place on March 7th, when VfB host Lazio Rome, who eliminated Borussia Mönchengladbach from the competition, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Vedad Ibisevic will unfortunately be suspended for the first leg of the clash with the Italians.
