1. FSV Mainz 05
| 1-0 | Müller | (14. Min) |
| 2-1 | Okazaki | (65. Min) |
| 3-1 | Müller | (78. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 1-1 | Ibisevic | (16. Min) |
| 3-2 | Harnik | (82. Min) |
Sven Ulreich
Stats 
Unlucky start
To start the 2013/2014 Bundesliga season, there was a repeat of the final game of the previous campaign, with VfB taking on 1. FSV Mainz 05, but on this occasion at the Coface-Arena: At the end of an entertaining and intensive match, VfB undeservedly lost 2-3. Stuttgart’s goals were scored by Vedad Ibisevic and Martin Harnik.
With the support of some 3,200 travelling fans behind them, Bruno Labbadia’s side made a bright start but found themselves 0-1 down with just 14 minutes played. Gotoku Sakai unnecessarily lost possession and allowed Nicolai Müller through to round Benedikt Röcker and slide the ball home.
Vedad Ibisevic hits back
The shock was short lived by VfB, who immediately went on the attack and a cross to the centre from Ibrahima Traoré found Vedad Ibisevic, who did exceptionally well to turn his shot past the Mainz keeper and levelled the scores. The game remained intensive and hard fought throughout the remainder of the first period but there were to be no further goals and the sides went in at the break with the score at 1-1.
Slideshow
Wasted chances cost VfB dearly
The second half began very much as the first had ended and the first clear chance opened up for VfB in the 56th minute. Traoré passed square for Martin Harnik, who hammered a shot into, only to have his effort parried away and the Austrian international’s follow up effort was blocked by Park. Two minutes later, Daniel Schwaab had to make at last gasp clearance and almost immediately on the counter attack, Harnik had another chance to put VfB in front but was denied by the quick reactions and outstretched leg of Müller. The hosts ineffective use of chances was then to be punished when Shinji Okazaki took on a pass, in a suspiciously off-side position, and slotted inside the near post to put the hosts back in front – 1-2 (65’).
Bruno Labbadia: "After the 1-1 we put the pressure on but failed to seal the deal and then from out of nothing we conceded again." Post match comments
VfB almost had another quick reply, with Müller having to go full stretch to deal with a Konstantin Rausch free-kick effort (67’). Cacau was introduced to replace Leitner and shortly afterwards, Rausch tried his luck again with a free-kick. With VfB putting the pressure on, Shinji Okazaki was forced to clear from the goal-line for Mainz and the visitors from Stuttgart looked destined to draw level again.
For all their pressure though, it was the home side who were to make the telling breakthrough and increase their lead to 3-1 through Nicolai Müller in the 78th minute. The set-back was significant but VfB refused to throw in the towel and were back in the reckoning when the Mainz keeper spilled a Cacau effort from 20 meters out and Martin Harnik was on hand to convert the loose ball. With the game at 2-3, VfB’s hopes of taking a point were raised but in the end, Mainz held out for the final minutes to leave VfB Stuttgart empty handed at the end of day one.
