VfB Stuttgart
| 1-1 | Gentner | (34. Min) |
HNK Rijeka
| 0-1 | Benko | (30. Min) |
| 2-1 | Maric [OG] | (75. Min) |
| 2-2 | Mujanovic | (90.+4. Min) |
Mate Males
Stats 
VfB Hasd coach Thomas Schneider.
Not to be for VfB!
In the end it just wasn’t to be! At the end of a massive team effort, a goal conceded in injury time was to cost VfB a place in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. Christian Gentner and an own goal turn a 0-1 deficit, but it was a late equaliser which ended VfB’s European adventure for this season.
Thomas Schneider made his debut as VfB coach and set out his stall with a 4-4-2 formation, which saw William Kvist, Bendedikt Röcker, Ibrahima Traoré, Martin Harnik and Cacau start in place of Konstantin Rausch, Gotoku Sakai, Moritz Leitner, Alexandru Maxim and Mohammed Abdellaoue.
Sudden set-back
VfB put on the pressure early on, looking to overturn the 1-2 defeat from last week’s first leg but with 30 minutes on the clock, the Bundesliga side suddenly found themselves 0-1 down. Latching on to a long ball forward, Leon Benko found himself alone in front of the VfB goal and slotted home to put the visitors in front. VfB had the perfect answer to the set-back though and were back on level terms just four minutes later. Christian Gentner left two opponents standing and finished emphatically to make it 1-1. The score-line was to remain as the sides went into the half-time break.
Thomas Schneider: "We are naturally very disappointed" Post match comment
Ibrahima Traoré’s hard work helps VfB take the lead
In the 54th minute, Martin Harnik tried his luck from 20 meters out but was unable to find the target and soon after, the Austrian international made way for Timo Werner. With a quarter hour left to play, VfB then took the lead thanks to an own-goal. Ibrahima Traoré fired in a powerful cross, which Luca Maric turned past his own keeper. With trainer Thomas Schneider’s pushing for the decisive third goal, an unnecessary loss of possession allowed Goran Mujanovic in to make it 2-2. VfB were unable to turn the tie again and at the end of a determined effort, missed out on booking a place in the group stage of the Europa League.
Last hopes: As Fenerbahce Istanbul have been banned from participating in the Europa League following a bribery scandal, UEFA have decided that a draw will be made to decide who fills the final qualifying place. The draw, which is to take place on Friday, will include all teams eliminated in the Play-Offs.
