VfB Stuttgart
| 1-0 | Gentner | (42. Min) |
KRC Genk
| 1-1 | Plet | (90.+1. Min) |
Arthur Boka
Stats 
Christian Gentner put VfB in front on the night.
Frustrating draw
It’s just not to be for VfB Stuttgart in 2013! In the first leg of their Europa League ‘Round of 32’ clash with KRC Genk, the visitors snatched an equaliser in the 91st minute. Christian Gentner had put the home side into the lead in the first half.
Bruno Labbadia started with the same eleven that began against Werder Bremen but the home side got off to a more cautious start at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in front of a crown of 15,200.
As the half progressed, the hosts began to take charge of proceedings, as had been expected, and put the Belgian side under serious pressure when they managed to win possession. With fourteen minutes played, the home side then had their first sight of goal but initially remained unrewarded.
Chances at both ends
After a less than inspiring quarter hour, VfB then had their next sight of goal. Tunay Torun reacted quickly to a poor attempted clearance by the Genk goalkeeper and fed Martin Harnik, who immediately struck on goal but Laszlo Köteles had managed to gather his bearings and avert the danger (31’). In the 42nd minute though, the VfB fans were finally on their feet and celebrating. Gotoku Sakai had fired in a shot which was blocked away but Christian Gentner was on hand to slot home the loose ball cleverly and put VfB into a 1-0 half-time lead.
The second half
Vedad Ibisevic had the first chance on goal in the second period. From a wonderfully played long ball by Gotokus Sakai, Christian Gentner crossed to the centre where the Bosnian launched himself forward to make a connection with a flying header but saw his effort go wide of the mark.
VfB coach Bruno Labbadia: “We really could have done with a win but at the moment it’s like Groundhog Day." Post match comments
In the 74th minute, Alexandru Maxim made his VfB debut, being introduced in place of Ibrahima Traoré. Six minutes later, the new man broke free on the left but the attempted delivery to Shinji Okazaki in the centre was blocked away.
Frustrating late equaliser
In the final minutes of the tie, VfB continued to control proceedings and, in the 85th minute, Christian Gentner could have marked up his second of the game but was unable to convert a left footed effort. With the VfB fans prepared to celebrate a win, the wind was then knocked firmly out of their sails when the Belgians grabbed an equaliser in added time. For VfB, there is still everything to play for in the second leg.
